These eight democratic parties have to work within certain constraints Instead. Instead of opposing and out-performing one another as is common with political parties in the West, these democratic parties have to abide by the emphasis on “multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CCP." Under this system, the eight democratic parties can participate in and deliberate on state affairs as long as they recognize the leading and ruling position of the CCP. In turn, the CCP will engage in political consultation with the eight democratic parties on major state guidelines and policies and key state affairs before making and implementing decisions