Party Building: Strengthening the Construction of a Marxist Party

Abstract

AbstractThe final case study concerns the leadership of the Communist Party, with a focus on grassroots Party building. The local Party branch is the foundation and stronghold of the Communist Party, and when the branch is vigorous and unified, so is the Party. This chapter has four sections. The first is devoted to a careful and explanatory analysis of the Regulations for the Work of Branches of the Communist Party of China, which were promulgated in a trial version in 2018. Of interest here is the dialectical nature of the Party branch, which is both unified with the Central Committee and thoroughly democratic, creative, and innovative; the ten types of Party branches; the tasks and responsibilities of branches; and their comprehensive democratic practices. The second section focuses on one type of grassroots Party branch: the industrial enterprise branch. After dealing with branches in non-public enterprises, I analyse educational activities, especially those surrounding the centenary of the CPC. The final topic of this section deals with the consistent focus on the working masses, not merely since these enterprise branches are composed of many types of industrial worker, but also because such branches focus on the well-being of all workers and their families in the enterprise. The third and fourth sections of the chapter concern the enhanced roles of the Party branch secretary, drawing on some first-hand accounts, and the role of trade unions in a socialist system.