Religion in China (Islam in China)
Introduction
Islam in China has played an influential role in influencing Chinese history. The presence of Muslims in China and their persistent contact with the Chinese community has been going on for the about 1400 years[1]. Muslims are present in almost all areas in China due to their huge Muslim population in the country. Islam is mainly concentrated on the Xianjing province, comprising of at least half of the region’s population.
How Islam was brought to China
There are diverse viewpoints regarding the introduction of Islam in China. The China Muslim’s traditional legendary accounts consent that Islam in China was first introduced by Sa’ad ibn abi Waqqas during 651 after the demise of Prophet Muhammad. Sa’ad ibn abi Waqqas is thought to be the maternal uncle of Prophet Muhammad, arrived in China as an envoy representing Uthman. The Tang emperor by then, Emperor Gaozong welcomed the envoy and issued orders to facilitate the establishment of the Memorial mosque in Canton to serve as the memory of the prophet[2].
How Islam (specifically) and religion (generally) has been treated by different Chinese governments
The formation of the People’s Republic of China was notably characterized by cultural revolutions to address the increasing Muslim influence in Xinjiang. At this period, the government accused Muslims of attempting to encourage anti-socialist trends and superstitious beliefs[3].
Under the present day government, Islam is being revived with the construction of more mosques. In most parts of the country, Muslims have relatively high levels of religious freedom. This is not the same in Xinjiang, which is notably characterized by unrest within the Uighur Muslims[4]. The Muslims in Xianjing region have for a long time desired independence, resulting to their involvement in terrorist activities and links with terrorist groups. The Uighur Muslims and the larger Muslim community in Xianjing have been getting financial aid from larger terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and Taliban[5].
Bibliography
Gillette, Maris. Between Mecca and Beijing: modernization and consumption among urban Chinese Muslims. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000.
Israeli, Raphael. Islam in China. New York: Lexington Books, 2002.
Lipman, Newman. Familiar Strangers, a history of Muslims in Northwest China. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1997.
Rubin, Barry. Guide to Islamist Movements. New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2000.
Uradyn, Erden, Bulag. Dilemmas The Mongols at China’s edge: history and the politics of national unity. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2002.
How important is authoritarian rule (as seen in the Chinese Communist Party) for rapid economic development?
Capitalism is an economic system that focuses on private ownership regarding the means of production, manufacture and distribution of commodities and services. The effectiveness of capitalism as evident in the success of China’s economy poses significant questions regarding the role authoritarian rule in facilitating rapid economic development[6]. In fact, one of the significant ironies following the recent global recession is the effective role that the Communist Party of China successfully managed the financial crisis compared to democratic system of the United States government. This is arguably evident in the swell of Beijing’s spending and its effectiveness in handling the economic downturn and adoption of strategies for economic expansion. A clear cut inference from the above observation is that the concept of capitalism is not linked to democracy in any way. However, there is increasing concerns regarding the influences of capitalism on democracy and to evaluate whether capitalism serves to undermine economic growth. As for the latter, China is a stunning evidence that can be used to conclude that capitalism cannot undermine economic growth. The basic inference from this point is that authoritarian rule overrides democracy if a rapid economic growth is needed[7].
China is not considered a democratic state, yet it is characterized by a rapid economic growth. The United States, which is perfect case of a democratic system, was significantly affected by the recent financial meltdown that hit the globe. In addition, the economic condition of the United States in the recent past is slow and in the verge of collapse. This is mainly attributed to opposition and partisan politics that advocate for different economic policies. Authoritarian rule, as in the case of China has no room for opposition and public opinion; perhaps, this creates a breeding ground for rapid economic growth compared to a democratic system as in the case of the United States. The basic implication that can be derived from this observation is that democracy to some extent serves to undermine economic recovery[8].
The functioning of the CCP bases on inner party democracy, whereby different factions within the party serve as an opposition to each other[9]. This is not a form of effective opposition; rather it provides a framework for open discussion and facilitates the establishment of deliberation within the party. In any case, decisions are made authoritatively in accordance with the goals of the party, inner-party democracy only serves to strengthen the decisions made at the party level and provide alternative measures. Such an approach is effective in steering economic growth because the policies adopted by the political system are subject to internal scrutiny prior to their implementation[10].
Bibliography
De Soto, Hernando. The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else. New York: Basic Books, 2000.
Posner, Richard. The crisis of capitalist democracy. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 2010.
Schumpeter, Joseph. Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2010.
Scott, Bruce. Capitalism: Its Origins and Evolution as a System of Governance. London: Springer, 2011.
Scott, Bruce. The Concept of Capitalism. London: Springer, 2009.
[1] Israeli, Raphael. Islam in China. New York: Lexington Books, 2002, p. 45.
[2] Lipman, Newman. Familiar Strangers, a history of Muslims in Northwest China. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1997, p. 99.
[3] Gillette, Maris. Between Mecca and Beijing: modernization and consumption among urban Chinese Muslims. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000, p. 102.
[4] Uradyn, Erden, Bulag. Dilemmas The Mongols at China’s edge: history and the politics of national unity. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2002, p. 300.
[5] Rubin, Barry. Guide to Islamist Movements. New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2000, p. 158.
[6] Schumpeter, Joseph. Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2010.
[7] Scott, Bruce. Capitalism: Its Origins and Evolution as a System of Governance. London: Springer, 2011.
[8] De Soto, Hernando. The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else. New York: Basic Books, 2000.
[9] Scott, Bruce. The Concept of Capitalism. London: Springer, 2009.
[10] Posner, Richard. The crisis of capitalist democracy. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 2010.
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