PARAGRAPH,WORDS AND MEANINGS

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TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“Signature ideology”

The Congress has confirmed Mr. Xi’s standing as the most powerful Chinese leader in the post-Deng era. His vision for the future of China, “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”, is enshrined in the party constitution as part of its guiding ideology. A Xinhua commentary gushingly suggests that “Xi Jinping’s thought will be China’s signature ideology and the new communism”, the implication being that it supersedes and encompasses the doctrinal offerings of previous leaders. Mr. Xi has become the only leader after Mao (with his “Mao Zedong Thought”) to have his eponymous ideological contribution written into the party charter while in office. “Deng Xiaoping Theory” was adopted after Deng’s death, and contributions of two of Mr. Xi’s predecessors, Hu Jintao (“Scientific Outlook”) and Jiang Zemin (“Three Represents”), are not named after them. While this self-elevation and his position as the “lingxiu”, a wise and great leader, makes Mr. Xi the principal arbiter of China’s future directions over the next five years and possibly beyond, it is does not yet put him on a par with Mao and Deng. Arguably, Deng did not need a theory named after him or to hold many offices to bring about transformational changes in China. Mr. Xi is a transformative leader in the making but has a long way to go before he can rival Mao and Deng in impact and legacy. Mr. Xi has, however, taken decisive steps to move away from Deng’s legacy in four key areas: collective leadership; identification of successors well ahead of the transfer of power; a measure of differentiation between the party and the state; and the dictum of China biding its time, keeping a low profile and never claiming leadership. Deng had institutionalised collective leadership to correct the problems of “excessive concentration of power” witnessed under Mao. With Mr. Xi steadily accumulating levers of authority and eliminating rivals, there has been a shift towards personalised rule in his first term and now at the Party Congress. The erosion of checks that it involves has attendant risks for China.

MEANINGS AND WORDS

1) Intricately

Meaning: Very complicated or detailed.

Example: An intricate network of canals.

Synonyms: Complex, Tangled

Antonyms: Simple, Straightforward

2) Choreographed

Meaning: Plan and control (an event or operation).

Example: The committee choreographs the movement of troops.

3) Helmsman

Meaning: A person who directs a ship or boat, using a handle or wheel.

4) Conclave

Meaning: A private meeting.

Example:  The conclave elected the new pope on the fifth ballot.

Synonyms: Gathering, Assembly

5) Era

Meaning: A date or event marking the beginning of a new and distinct period of time.

Example: The landing of this English governor was an era in their lives.

Synonyms: Epoch, Age, Period

6) Enshrined

Meaning: Preserve (a right, tradition, or idea) in a form that ensures it will be protected and respected.

Example: The right of all workers to strike was enshrined in the new constitution.

Synonyms: Embody, Realize

7) Gushingly

Meaning: Expressing a positive feeling, especially praise, in such a strong way that it does not sound sincere.

Example: One of the more gushing newspapers described the occasion as “a fairy-tale wedding”.

8) Eponymous

Meaning: (Of a person) giving their name to something.

Example: The eponymous hero of the novel.

9) Arbiter

Meaning: A person whose views or actions have influence in a particular sphere.

Example: An arbiter of taste.

Synonyms: Judge, Authority

10) On a par

Meaning: Equal or similar to someone or something.

Example: In my opinion, none of the new jazz trumpeters are on a par with Miles Davis.

11) Arguably

Meaning: It may be argued (used to qualify the statement of an opinion or belief).

Example: She is arguably the greatest woman tennis player of all time.

Synonyms: Possibly, Plausibly

12) Legacy

Meaning: An amount of money or property left to someone in a will.

Example: My grandmother died and unexpectedly left me a small legacy.

Synonyms: Bequest, Heritage

13) Dictum

Meaning: A short statement that expresses a general truth or principle.

Example: The old dictum ‘might is right.

Synonyms: Axiom, Adage

14) Biding

Meaning: An attempt to achieve or get something.

Example:  Her bid for re-election was unsuccessful.

15) Politburo

Meaning: The main government group in a Communist country, which makes all the important decisions.

16) Allies

Meaning: A person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity.

Example: He was forced to dismiss his closest political ally.

Synonyms: Associate, Colleague

Antonyms: Enemy, Opponent

17) Predecessors

Meaning: A person who held a job or office before the current holder.

Example: The new President’s foreign policy is very similar to that of his predecessor.

Synonyms: Forerunner, Precursor

Antonyms: Successor

18) Paramount

Meaning: More important than anything else; supreme.

Example: The interests of the child are of paramount importance.

Synonyms: Uppermost, Supreme

19) Throne

Meaning: Used to signify sovereign power.

Example: The heir to the throne.

Synonyms: Rule, Command

20) Pan out

Meaning: End up; conclude.

Example: He’s happy with the way the deal panned out.

Synonyms: Result, Develop