Re <<Never seen a well knowable person in a profession having the desire to be on the top of the hierarchy>>
There is a group within the China governance structure that goes back to the dynastic days, and the little-known office is I believe known as The Office of Counsels to the State Council (do not bother to look it up on the web, for the links say nothing illuminating. Suffice to say I have met at least two members of the office during the past 30 years).
The counsels:
(1) elected to the office comprised of some number (~60) folks, and ascension to the office based on age (>60) and merits as defined, per universally acclaimed to be
(i) at top or near top of their professions (business, law and government people are not considered) - musicians, scientists, engineers, educators, artists, doctors, etc etc)
(ii) do not care about money
(2) The first 5-years term is by voting of peers in broader society, and the second 5-years term by voting of colleagues in the office
(3) Must retire after 2 terms.
The folks cannot be fired by anyone in the government's executive branch, or the legislature.
(4) Whilst in office, the folks work on assignments asked of them by the state council, and the issues worked on are typically also worked on by think tanks and academics, and and and
At the time when I met one of them one of the issue was whether China should build 500 smaller cities or 50 big ones, and all the issues that flow from such a decision
(5) Once retired from the office after 2 terms (do not know if after 1 term counts), they can remain active and work on any issue they choose to, and when wish to make an appointment w/ the Premier, the appointment must be taken by the Premier
(6) The budget of both the active and retired counsels are sufficient for what they need to do, and in the case of retired counsels, for life
Needless to say, the meeting was interesting, for I simply did not know until illuminated. I was introduced to the fellow by in-law, as they were college buddies.
The system can be gamed, occasionally, for instance during revolutions and civil wars, and cultural revolutions. |
