"Yes, it was customary to drink at meetings in the Soviet Union, 'democratic centralism' [where binding decisions are made centrally] was also customary, but there was no drunkenness or democratic centralism" at Belavezha, he joked.
So we will have still more focus on structures, standardised testing, Whitehall centralism and teacher de-professionalisation.
Cameron is continuing with his creeping centralism.
But in September Mr Hu dropped a not-so-subtle hint of his own reservations, emphasising the principle of "centralism"—which means upholding party decisions without dissent.
Mr Aznar's lot have diluted their traditional Castilian centralism.
As well as making the case against Labour's "state centralism", it also outlines a new approach to public services, based on devolving power both to users and to frontline providers.In this section The natives are restless Boudoir bandits Feds under the bed?
Many European regionalists have long seen it as a natural ally against the centralism of nation-states.
"Democratic centralism", meaning no debate once the leadership had taken a decision, is over.
"Inner-party democracy is the life of the party," he said, before adding: "Centralism and unity are the guarantee of its strength .Mr Hu is doubtless especially keen that the party follows his orders as he tries to line up like-minded successors to take over in 2012.
Britain's universities have been subjected to socialist centralism for too long.
But, Mr Singh argues, centralism and Hindu nationalism have kept India from learning to live with them.Mr Singh's survey is brief, informative and entertaining, but not profound or objective.
