中央集权 (Zhōngyāng Jíquán), translated as "centralized authority," refers to the concentration of political power in a central governing body. In the Chinese context, it ensures that decisions and policies are unified and effectively implemented across a vast and diverse nation. This principle is foundational to both Legalist and modern CCP governance, emphasizing control, efficiency, and stability.
Centralized authority minimizes regional autonomy, preventing fragmentation and ensuring that the central government’s directives are carried out uniformly. It reflects the belief that a strong, centralized state is essential for maintaining social order, economic development, and national unity.
The principle of Zhōngyāng Jíquán was institutionalized during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE) under Qin Shi Huang, who centralized power by abolishing feudal states and replacing them with administrative units directly controlled by the central government. This model influenced successive dynasties and remains a core feature of Chinese governance.
In the modern era, the CCP reinforced centralized authority following the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping used centralized control to implement nationwide campaigns and reforms, ensuring consistency and preventing dissent.
From a Chinese perspective, Zhōngyāng Jíquán is viewed as necessary for governance in a country as large and diverse as China. The CCP sees centralized authority as essential for achieving its developmental goals, maintaining stability, and responding to challenges like regional inequality and external pressures.
Key Characteristics in CCP Governance:
Policy Implementation:
Centralized authority ensures that national policies, such as poverty alleviation and economic reform, are implemented uniformly across regions.
Crisis Management:
During crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, centralized decision-making enables rapid and coordinated responses.
Unity and Sovereignty:
Centralized authority underpins China’s stance on territorial integrity, including issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.
1. Qin Dynasty – The First Centralized State:
Qin Shi Huang replaced the feudal system with a centralized administrative structure, dividing the empire into prefectures and counties directly controlled by the central government. This system eliminated regional power bases and ensured uniform governance.
2. Modern Infrastructure Projects:
Massive projects like the South-North Water Transfer Project and the Belt and Road Initiative reflect the CCP’s ability to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts across regions under centralized authority.
3. Poverty Alleviation Campaigns:
The CCP’s centralized approach to poverty reduction involved setting nationwide targets and holding local officials accountable for achieving them, ensuring consistency and accountability.
4. COVID-19 Response:
During the pandemic, centralized authority enabled the swift imposition of lockdowns, mobilization of medical resources, and coordinated testing efforts, demonstrating the CCP’s capacity for rapid action.
5. Anti-Corruption Campaigns:
Centralized oversight allowed the CCP to target corruption within its ranks, ensuring that officials across all levels adhered to party discipline and national goals.
Contrast with Federalism:
Americans accustomed to a federal system may view centralized authority as overly rigid or authoritarian, overlooking its efficiency in managing a large, diverse nation.
Perceived Lack of Local Autonomy:
The emphasis on centralized control might be seen as suppressing regional voices, whereas in the Chinese perspective, it ensures national unity and prevents fragmentation.
Efficiency vs. Freedom:
Americans may prioritize individual freedoms over efficiency, while Zhōngyāng Jíquán values collective stability and coordinated action.
Zhōngyāng Jíquán aligns with China’s historical experiences of fragmentation and conflict, reinforcing the need for a strong, centralized state to maintain order and unity. In modern China, the CCP uses centralized authority to coordinate development, enforce laws, and safeguard sovereignty. This approach reflects a governance philosophy that prioritizes stability and collective progress over localized autonomy, ensuring that national goals are achieved in a cohesive manner.