Democratic Centralism and Administration in China

Abstract

The decision issued by the fourth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP, or Party) in 2014 on Some Major Questions in Comprehensively Promoting Governing the Country According to Law (the 'Fourth Plenum Decision') reiterated the Party's determination to build a 'socialist rule of law system with Chinese characteristics. What does proclamation of the 'socialist' nature of China's version of rule of law mean, if anything? Development of a notion of socialist rule of law in China has included many apparently competing and often mutually inconsistent narratives and trends.