The most notable aspect of this film is how each candidate acts outside the teacher’s structure. How they campaigned. Xu Xiaofei showed no efforts to campaign as she was most concerned with how she would perform in front of the class. Xu did not persuade anyone nor work outside of the class to convince anyone of her candidacy.  On the other hand, the methods of both Cheng Cheng and Lou Lei outside of the class structure reminded me of some of Machiavelli’s tips on how to be a prince. For instance, Cheng Cheng bribes his “mercenaries” with the promises of authority once he is elected. He then makes them insult Lou Lei and Xu Xiaofei. Just as Machiavelli argues, Cheng Cheng’s supposed allies did not help him because they believed in him but because of their own selfish interest. Cheng Cheng’s support is evident but not strong and that showed in the votes. Just as Machiavelli prescribes, Lou Lei earns the love and support of his classmates by gifting them and taking them on trips, he is generous. However, he is not too generous because he is notoriously strict and physical. Lou Lei understands the same importance of balancing needed violence and generosity that Machiavelli argues and consequentially wins by a large margin.

The dirty actions and Bribery by Cheng Cheng Lou Lei show some of the moral pitfalls that come with democratic elections. On the other hand, the fact that another election will be held a year later is a great example of the checks and balances that make democracy successful. Luo Lei’s victory does not mean that he can continue to be as violent as he has in the past. As he promised in his last speech, he can change and if he does not the the democratic process will serve as a check on his violence. The election caused a lot of misbehavior and dirty tricks amongst the class, however, it will change the role of class monitor forever.