Party members are definitely not noble families. When the country's mass lay off happened at the turn of the century, the party members are the first to be laid off, as examples for other people. And planned birth is more strictly enforced on party members. The party membership doesn't really bring any good unless you're already well connected.

The Chinese people work wonders because they believe they can work wonders if they work hard. This is pretty much the American Dream as I understood it. That's why I always imagined that the Chinese government has much in common, and thus can work well with a GOP government. People are urged to work hard for a better life, not relying (too much) on social securities.

It's hard to tell if democracy is fundamentally better than whatever its alternative is. You know, no offense, DT can be elected. With enough manipulation, all Chinese government heads can be elected as well, even under a democratic system.