Research on Playing the Role of Emerging Social Groups in Building the Governance System and Governance Capacity of Socialist Modernized International Metropolis ()
1. Introduction
Against the background of advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, enhancing the governance system and governance capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis is the first and foremost task. As an emerging social group, individuals from new social classes have new characteristics and missions of the times due to changes and developments in the times. We must clarify the requirements for the governance system and capacity building of socialist modernized international metropolis, accurately understand the characteristics and functions of the emerging social groups, only then can we do a good job in the work of this group and enable them to play its due role in social governance.
2. The Requirements of Building the Governance System and Governance Capacity of Socialist Modernized International Metropolis
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, based on the trend of the times, the development requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the expectations of the people, made the < Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning Adhering to and Improving the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Advancing the Modernization of the National Governance System and Governance Capacity >. Clarified the significant significance of promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, and made strategic deployments, pointing out that the overall goal is: the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance is basically achieved by 2035 and realized in full as the People’s Republic of China celebrates its own centenary. The specific requirements are “to focus on consolidating the foundation, promoting advantages, filling gaps, and strengthening weak areas, building a systematic, scientific, standardized, and effective institutional system, strengthening systematic governance, legal governance, comprehensive governance, and source governance, and better transforming China’s institutional advantages into national governance efficiency.” (Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning Adhering to and Improving the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Advancing the Modernization of the National Governance System and Governance Capacity, 2019) .
The improvement of the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis is of utmost importance. Firstly, based on China’s national conditions, socialist modernized international metropolis have characteristics such as extremely large population size, economic scale, social scale, and liquidity scale. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve modernization of governance system and governance capacity to address the governance challenges of mega cities. Secondly, the construction of a socialist modernized international metropolis requires it to have strong influence and competitiveness among major international cities. Therefore, the construction requires benchmarking against the highest standards and best levels on an international scale. The modernization of the governance system and governance capacity in socialist modernized international metropolis can better and faster demonstrate the scientific and superior nature of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. Thirdly, socialist modernized international metropolis has advantages in funding, technology, and talent. Prioritizing the modernization of governance systems and capabilities can serve as a model and provide reference and inspiration for other cities.
Promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity is a systematic project that requires the coordination and collective efforts of various forces such as government agencies, institutions, departments, and citizens. The < Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning Adhering to and Improving the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Advancing the Modernization of the National Governance System and Governance Capacity > emphasized that we should “consolidating and developing the broadest possible patriotic united front”. Because this is not only an important means and force to promote the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, but also an important part of the governance of socialist countries with Chinese characteristics. The emerging social groups are important members of the broad patriotic united front and also one of the objects of united front work. In the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis, the important role of emerging social groups should be fully played.
3. The Scope and Basic Characteristics of Emerging Social Groups
The positioning of the emerging social groups is very clear, that is, “the builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics”, which fully expresses the Party’s affirmation of the important role that this group plays in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and also indicates that this group is an important reliance force for China’s socialist construction. The central government attaches great importance to the work of emerging social groups, and the Central United Front Work Department has specially established the eighth bureaus, namely the “Emerging Social Groups Work Bureau”, on the basis of the existing work force, to be responsible for the united front work of emerging social groups. Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized again that we should “improve our work concerning people from emerging social groups in an effort to provide better political guidance for pursuing common goals.” (Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects, 2022)
So, what groups of people do the emerging social groups refer to? With the development of the times and the classification of professions, the composition and members of emerging social groups are also changing. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the party has also gained a new understanding of emerging social groups. In 2013, the first session of the 12th National People’s Congress pointed out that “all non-public economic personnel and other emerging social groups should carry forward the spirit of labor creation and entrepreneurship, give back to society, and benefit the people.” At this time, “non-public economic personnel” and “emerging social groups” were regarded as parallel logical relationships. < The Regulations of the CPC on the Work of the United Front (for Trial Implementation) > issued in 2015 clearly distinguishes “non-public economic personnel” and “emerging social groups” as two main categories. At the end of 2020, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China officially issued < the Regulations on the Work of the United Front of the CPC >, which included a separate chapter of “the work of the united front of people from emerging social groups” and made it clear that “people from emerging social groups mainly include: management technicians of private enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises, employees of intermediary organizations and social organizations, freelancers, new media employees, etc.” This defines the specific scope of the emerging social groups members.
From a national perspective, the emerging social groups have many common characteristics, such as higher relative income, higher education level, and higher requirements for the quality of a better life. “According to statistics from relevant departments, the number of emerging social groups in China has exceeded 150 million, accounting for approximately 11.5% of the total population. They hold or manage about 10 trillion yuan of capital, use half of the country’s technology patents, and directly or indirectly contribute nearly one-third of the country’s tax revenue.” (Zhang, Lai, & Yao, 2020) The number of emerging social groups in Shanghai ranks among the top in the country, with distinct group characteristics: “Shanghai’s emerging social groups are mainly composed of middle-aged and young people, with high education levels and high stickiness to the city; Shanghai’s emerging social groups have a higher income level and strong employment ability; Shanghai’s emerging social groups have a fast pace of life and pay attention to good quality of life; The political participation of emerging social groups in Shanghai is relatively reasonable and orderly, with a high proportion of participation in charitable and public welfare activities, and have significant group characteristics in participating in social organizations; The overall social attitude of the emerging social groups in Shanghai is relatively positive, and they have become an important group to practice and promote the core values of socialism.” (Zhang, Chen, & Li, 2017)
4. The Important Role of Emerging Social Groups in the Governance of Socialist Modernized International Metropolis
4.1. Uniting Emerging Social Groups to Participate in the Governance of Socialist Modernized in International Metropolis Can Demonstrate the Core Values of Socialism
4.1.1. Highlighting the Concept of Socialist Democracy
Socialist democracy refers to the people run the country, respecting their subject status, safeguarding their fundamental interests, and being able to manage various national affairs through various channels and forms in accordance with the law.
Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China profoundly point out that we should “ensure the principal position of the people, so as to give full expression to their will, protect their rights and interests, and spark their creativity.” (Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects, 2022) The purpose of the united front is great unity and union, which is the characteristic of socialist democracy. Uniting emerging social groups to participate in the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis, whether through attracting them to become National People’s Congress representatives or members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, or as experts or the masses in a certain field, is a manifestation of socialist democratic characteristics. On the one hand, it has built a bridge for the government and emerging social groups. The government can listen to their opinions. It will enhance the openness and inclusiveness of socialist democratic politics; On the other hand, listening to public opinion and accepting suggestions and supervision from emerging social groups through this channel is also beneficial for improving governance mechanisms and better safeguarding people’s democratic rights. From this perspective, it can also reflect that socialist democracy is the most extensive, authentic, and effective form of democracy.
The socialist democracy implemented in our country includes both electoral democracy and consultative democracy. This kind of democracy can listen to the opinions and suggestions of the majority, safeguard the rights of the majority, and provide opportunities and channels for some minority groups to express their own demands, safeguarding their legitimate rights. The emerging social groups have basically obtained a certain economic status, and they also crave more opportunities to participate in society and politics. Most of them are outside the system and are not familiar with the channels for participating in politics and urban governance. At the same time, there are some minority groups whose opinions and voices need to be heard. Therefore, uniting the emerging social groups to participate in the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis, informing them the channels for participating in politics and urban governance, guiding them to offer advice and suggestions through united front departments or by joining democratic parties or the National People’s Congress of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, will promote the development of socialist democracy in a broader and deeper direction. Taking Shanghai as an example, “According to statistics, there are hundreds of members of emerging social groups among the people’s congresses and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at all levels in Shanghai, which fully reflects the enthusiasm and breadth of the emerging social groups members’ participation in politics and deliberation.” (The Number of Emerging Social Groups in Shanghai Has Reached 3.65 Million, 2016)
4.1.2. Reflect the Value Orientation of Putting the People at the Center
Marxist theory holds that the people are the creators of history. China is a socialist country that always adheres to the people’s dominant position, strives to achieve development for the people, development relies on the people, and shares development achievements with the people. The CPC has always adhered to its original intention of serving the people wholeheartedly. Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized that “All of us in the Party must stay true to our fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, maintain a people-centered mindset, and carry out the mass line. We must respect the pioneering spirit of our people and ensure that we are acting for the people and relying on the people in everything we do.” (Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects, 2022) It can be seen that China has always adhered to the value orientation of putting the people at the center, both in theory and practice.
Putting the people at the center and implementing it in practice means understanding the demands and desires of the people, solving their problems, and safeguarding their fundamental interests. The unity of emerging social groups and making them participate in the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis reflects a people-centered value orientation. On the one hand, the emerging social groups is an important component of the people in socialist modernized international metropolis. They have the unique needs and difficulties of this group. In the process of participating in urban governance, providing them with channels to participate in urban management is beneficial for them to accurately and effectively express their interests and demands. This can facilitate better solving their practical problems and difficulties; On the other hand, the emerging social groups generally have good economic conditions and cultural levels. Their needs and ideas for a better life are not only economic, but also higher expectations and actions for social fairness, rule of law, freedom, public welfare, and other aspects. Doing a good job in the relevant work of emerging social groups can enable them to participate in the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis, which can gradually meet their aspirations for a better life. It can also provide them with more firsthand experiences as masters.
4.1.3. Showcasing the Governance Experience under the Socialist System with Chinese Characteristics
To do a good job in the united front work of emerging social groups, attract and help them participate in the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis, ensure that they can express their thoughts and ideas through reliable channels, and participate in national affairs, economic affairs, cultural affairs, and social affairs through legal channels. This is a manifestation of democratic consultation and management in China’s socialist system. This reflects the emphasis of national governance on fully relying on the people and stimulating their creativity.
Promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity is an external manifestation of adhering to and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and fully leveraging its advantages. The socialist system with Chinese characteristics has been proven by practice to be an important component of human civilization, with advantages over other systems. However, the vitality of the system lies in its execution, and the advantages of the system must be realistically implemented into a governance system and governance effectiveness in order to be more convincing. It can be seen from this that adhering to and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics is closely related and integrated with advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. Adhering to and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics requires advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. By uniting emerging social groups and fully leveraging their role in promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, we can better adhere to and improve the socialist system, while also demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.
Consolidating and developing the broadest patriotic united front is an important part of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics. Doing a good job in united front work for emerging social groups is fully considering social class relations, striving to improve and take care of the interests of all allies within the united front, and achieving the widest political participation under the unified leadership of the Party. This is a unique path of socialist political development, and the experience summarized under this political path. “It offers a new option for other countries and nations who want to speed up their development while preserving their independence; and it offers Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach to solving the problems facing mankind.” (Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, 2017)
4.2. Doing a Good Job in United Front Work for Emerging Social Groups Is Conducive to Consolidating the Ideological Foundation of the Socialist Modernized International Metropolis Governance System and Governance Capacity Construction
Marxist theory holds that thought is the precursor to action, and people always have thought before action when doing things. Correct thinking can guide correct action, positive thinking cultivates positive action, and only with unified thinking can unified action be produced. Therefore, it is necessary to pay full attention to the ideological foundation of an action, such as factors including understanding, emotions, motivation, purpose of the action and so on.
Realizing the modernization of the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis is a massive systematic project, as well as a challenging and difficult one. Uniting and attracting emerging social groups to participate in the modernization of the urban governance system and governance capacity, fully offering advices and suggestions, can better achieve the scientific and democratic governance. The first thing that needs to be addressed in the improvement of the governance system and governance capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis is the ideological issue, which includes fully realizing the necessity of modernizing the governance system and governance capacity, as well as fully realizing that modernizing the governance system and governance capacity requires the wisdom and cooperation of the broadest masses of the people. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the importance of emerging social groups in consolidating social ideological consensus.
The emerging social groups, as the objects of united front work, are a large category and group. From the perspective of participating in the governance of socialist modernized metropolis, this group has its own characteristics and development trends. Firstly, the scale of emerging social groups is gradually increasing and the growth rate is relatively stable. Secondly, emerging social groups have strong autonomy in employment, career selection, and entrepreneurship. They fully understand the socialist market economy and can boldly seek development in the fierce competition of the market economy, taking responsibility and risks themselves. Therefore, many people are not very dependent on or even familiar with the party and government departments. So, when the government wants to communicate with them, they also face problems such as the emerging social groups are flow frequently, loose structure, and difficulty in connecting; Thirdly, as a group, the emerging social groups have a wide range of sources and diverse identities, and their internal structure is very complex. There are significant differences in economic ability, social status, values, and cultural literacy, which poses difficulties in understanding their thoughts and needs, as well as guiding their values; Fourthly, the emerging social groups are very active in society, with a wide and significant social influence. Their ideological status is related to the modernization of the socialist modernized international metropolis governance system and governance capacity. Therefore, it is even more important to do a good job in united front work for the emerging social groups. Striving to do a good job in united front work for this stratum is conducive to strengthening ideological and political guidance, consolidating consensus, and better for building the governance system and governance capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis from laying a solid ideological foundation, gathering strength, reducing resistance to urban governance, and expanding the path of urban governance. Yu Zhengsheng emphasized at the National Conference on United Front Work for Emerging Social Groups that “to do a good job in united front work for emerging social groups, the key is to firmly adhere to the policy of ‘full respect, extensive contact, strengthened unity, enthusiastic assistance, and active guidance’, scientifically grasp work principles, clarify goals and requirements, and continuously improve work level.” (The National United Front Work Conference for Emerging Social Groups was Held in Beijing, 2017)
4.3. Emerging Social Groups Can Contribute Wisdom and Strength to Enhancing the Governance of Socialist Modernized International Metropolis
The emerging social groups mainly includes four types of individuals, who are involved in a wide range of industries and fields, and can influence the governance of socialist modernized international metropolis from all aspects of social life. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the work of the united front and fully leverage their important role in promoting the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis. This effect is mainly reflected in three aspects, Firstly, the healthy and benign development of this group itself, which is in line with the requirements of socialist governance, and is an important part of the modernization of the governance system and governance capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis; Secondly, this group can provide suggestions and wisdom for promoting the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis; Thirdly, this group can participate in urban governance through various means, helping to modernize the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis.
The emerging social groups members consciously follow the requirements of modernization of social governance and promote the modernization of urban governance system and governance capacity. The emerging social groups are important subjects of the socialist market economy, and related groups such as management and technical personnel of private enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises, as well as freelancers, can play a role in promoting healthy economic development, increasing urban fiscal revenue, and creating more employment opportunities in the economic field. In terms of politics, emerging social groups are concerned about fairness, democracy, and the rule of law, especially the intermediary organizations and practitioners of social organizations. They have solid professional abilities and are an important driving force for the construction of socialist democracy and the rule of law. In the field of ideology and culture, the emerging social groups are mostly intellectuals with higher education levels, with open and active thinking and significant social influence. Among them, new media practitioners are particularly influential in the development of socialist culture. Guiding this group to abide by laws and regulations, abide by industry norms, do their job well, and practice the core socialist values is making contributions to urban governance.
Emerging social groups can contribute wisdom to the modernization of urban governance systems and governance capabilities. The emerging social groups possess a significant amount of factors that can be used for social production in social daily lives and are deeply rooted in specific social practices for a long time. They also possess characteristics such as high education, broad vision, abundant resources, pragmatic work, and open and free thinking. This has created their characteristics and advantages, such as, rich experience, strong abilities, unique perspectives, the ability to think deeply in a certain field and dare to express themselves. Improving the governance capacity and level of the governance system and capacity of socialist modernized international metropolis requires attention to scientific, refined, and intelligent management. Therefore, these characteristics and advantages of this group can provide reference data, methods, and suggestions for the improvement of urban governance capacity and level. Their channels of contributing wisdom are diverse, such as actively participating in various levels of people’s congresses, political consultative conferences, and people’s organizations, or providing ideas and methods for urban governance through various channels of the united front.
Emerging social groups participate in urban governance through various channels. With the continuous improvement of the quality of emerging social groups, especially in cities where socialist modernization is rapidly advancing, the overall quality of emerging social groups is very high. They are concerned about political and social issues and have a strong spirit of dedication. They are eager to use their own resources and advantages to participate in urban governance, help more groups solve problems, and provide assistance. If the channels are smooth and the publicity is efficient, in addition to the participation in the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference mentioned earlier, members of the emerging social groups can strengthen communication with the government by participating in various social organizations, and influence the government’s decision-making on urban governance; they can participate in public welfare and charity activities to improve urban governance; they can solve social governance problems based on their own knowledge and professional advantages. For example, in modern rule of law society, lawyers can resolve many conflicts, and they can also suppress more conflicts before they occur through legal publicity; It is also possible to rely on one’s own professionalism and influence to express opinions in reality and the internet, guiding social public opinion to develop on the correct, scientific, and legal track.
5. Conclusion
In short, emerging social groups play an irreplaceable role in the governance system and capacity building of socialist modernized international metropolis, but the prerequisite is to do their work well. Pay attention to the ideological guidance of emerging social groups, make good use of modern media technology, carry out pilot exploration work, and vigorously enhance the ability and level of united front work for emerging social groups under the leadership of the Party, so that the emerging social groups have the willingness, consciousness, and channels to play these positive roles.