Preliminary Study Of Contemporary Local Self-government

Local autonomy is a theme of modern constitutional government. Since 19th century, the globe witnesses an international trend presenting two features: direction to local autonomy in both federal and unitary countries and emphasis on grass-roots local autonomy (community autonomy). China is a centralization country that has the unitary system of long history. When mentioned the local autonomy of China, people can think of "New Policy" in the late of Qing Dynasty, the County Autonomy of Nanjing Nationalist Government and the democratic practice on anti-Japan base led by the Communist Party of China. However, the term "local autonomy" disappeared from official documents and academic study after liberation and according to the saying of Mao Zedong, the system of China is called democratic centralism. Despite the long-term disappearance of conception, home rule is not only an ideal construction but also a reality in modern China. Then, what is the status quo of home rule in contemporary China? What are its Chinese characteristics? Is it going to be the Achilles' heel of Chinese political integration? And what is the prospect of China's local autonomy? All of these are the focus of the thesis.The thesis consists of 6 parts.To begin with, as the link between the local autonomy and society is a dynamic one, this paper sets out to review the vicissitudes of self-rule in Chinese history. And three local autonomy morphologies of our country are also presented briefly in the first part. The second part gives a review of origin and development process of Chinese local autonomy. Part three and part 4 try to assess and summarize, objectively, the characteristics of the local autonomy of modern China and analyses its necessity and positive influence as well. The last two parts, part 5and part 6 point out the challenges home rule of China is faced with from the perspectives of its impacts on current political system and obstacles given by the latter. In addition, suggestion and countermeasures are also put forward here. At the end of the thesis, the author argues that the realization of home rule is just like a newborn baby in contemporary China and there is a long way to go before the ideals become a reality.Local autonomy research is still a new project in our country. Although local autonomy exists merely as a necessary supplement of the unitary system structure of our country, its influences are profound in national political development. Therefore, the study of it is of great importance in both theory and practice: it will contribute greatly to improve the central-local government relationship, promote the development of special administrative regions and regional national autonomy, maintain sovereignty and achieve territorial integrity as well.