Party building since Mao—a question of style?

Party workstyle remains a problem for the CPC leadership, reinforced by rejection of Cultural Revolution methods and re-evaluation of Mao which have confused many cadres. In a number of ways, Mao had destroyed the ‘rules of the game’ of the Leninist Party- state. Yet the problem is one of structure of power not merely of attitude.Development strategies have been changing; moves have been made towards economic reforms. These call for a different kind of Party than that which existed prior to 1976. For example, in relations with other institutions, the dominating role of the Party will need modification. In combating ‘sickness’ within the Party, two problems have been diagnosed by the authorities: bureaucratism and feudal hangovers. These lead to corruption, patronage and lack of inner-Party democracy. Earlier ideas of inner-Party struggle by democratic means and a real role for the Constitution have been revived. The latter now includes restrictions on individuals acting beyond the scope of Party policy — a thrust at the personality cult that develops around Party leaders. Life-long tenure for cadres is being abolished, and interpenetration of state and Party organs limited to a degree, though differences continue on how far this should proceed and on the amount of freedom to be given to intellectuals to intervene in the process.