Three represents: Ideology of the Fourth Generation

The 16th congress of the NPC saw the transition from JZM to Hu Jintao and the unveiling of the important thought (zhuyao sixiang) of the Three Represents. this was accompanied by a visionary statement of JZM to build a "well off society" (xiaokang shehui) and all round developpment.

the policitical significance of the three represents lies in the fact that they are expected to maintain continuity between the present set of policies and the future.

"The amendment to the party constitution adopted by the sixteenth congress of May 14 2002 announced that the Party respresents the

1. Development trend of China's advanced productive forces (xianjin shengchanli)
2. Orientation of China's advanced culture (xianjin wenhua)
3. Fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people (jueda duoshu ren de genben liyi)"

the article gives a nice overview of the shifting focus during the three generations of leadership in china and how each generation legitimates the previous generation, establishes consensus and a sense of continuity with the past but tries to add something creative for the current society and push china forward.

Mohanty postulates that there was quite a bit of hesitation on the part of the other members of the Politburo standing committee about the three represents as its implications were far reaching. however it is said that hu Jintao has been a strong supporter. one of the important implications is that of the extension of party membership. JZM said

"It is not advisable to judge a person's political orientation simply by whether he or she owns property, and how much property he or she owns. but rather we should judge him or her mainly by his or her political awareness, moral integrity and performance..."

"it was reported that during the annual retreat of the Party at Beidaihe in August 2001 there were heated exchanges regarding teh adoption of the Three Represents. Inner-Party debates continued throughout the period till teh following year's retreat." eventually JZM and his supporters won out and they managed to negotiate the acceptance of the Three Represents.

"In his report to the sixteenth congress, Jiang Zemin discusses the Three Represents in the section on 'Strengthen and Improve Party Building' adn treats it as necessary for improving the party's art of leadership and governance. He called upon especially the senior and middle rank cadres to 'emancipate their minds'--asking them to stop questioning this formulation. he urged them to 'keep pace with the times and boldly engage in practice and innovation.'

there are reforms in the direction of democracy at the local level however the guiding principle is "that political process must serve the need for social stability which is necessary for the economic development of China" p. 245

Mohanty, M. (2003). Three Represents: Ideology of the Fourth Generation. China Report, 39(2)