Marxism-Leninism on the Tibetan Plateau
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This paper examines the interplay between the Marxist-Leninist ideology of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) and governance of the Tibetan Plateau, focusing on its environmental, political, and geopolitical consequences. The CCP's Marxist-Leninist approach, as socialism with Chinese characteristics, prioritizes party survival and control, resulting in opaque policy processes and a lack of transparency. This governance model has led to significant environmental degradation, including accelerated glacial melt, ecosystem disruption, and water resource destabilization, with implications for millions downstream. The CCP’s policies in Tibet are not limited to environmental impacts; they also extend to cultural and political repression, contributing to long-term cultural assimilation and the erosion of Tibetan identity. The paper argues that the CCP’s governance structure inherently limits effective climate action, as state objectives prioritize development, party control, and geopolitical strategy over environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the CCP's actions have broader geopolitical implications, including strained transboundary water relations and regional instability. Using an understanding of Chinese International Relations Theory, this research contextualizes the CCP's Tibet strategy within its global aspirations, highlighting challenges to multilateral environmental efforts. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating Tibetan voices into international climate discussions while addressing the systemic limitations imposed by CCP governance.
Author: Ping, Jonathan; id_orcid 0000-0003-4593-3405
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7112154263
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