IS CHINA READY FOR DEMOCRACY?

In: Journal of democracy, Band 1, Heft 2, S. 50-62

Abstract

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT DEMOCRACY WAS UNREACHABLE FOR THEM. YET, SINCE THE STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS DURING THE SUMMER OF 1989, THE GOAL SEEMS MORE REALISTIC. AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY OF STRUGGLING FOR DEMOCRACY, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CHINESE HAVE CREATED THE CONDITIONS FOR IT. THIS ARTICLE ADDRESSES THE QUESTIONS: HOW WOULD THE TRANSITION OCCUR? WHAT WOULD A CHINESE DEMOCRACY BE LIKE? THE EXAMPLE OF TIAWAN IS DISCUSSED, AS WELL AS COMPARING THE CONDITIONS IN CHINA TO THOSE IN POORER DEMOCRACIES. CHINA HAS A REALATIVELY EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, WHICH IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED A HELPFUL CONDITION FOR DEMOCRACY. IT ALSO HAS STRONG POLICE AND MILITARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE AS NECESSARY FOR KEEPING THE PEACE IN A DEMOCRACY AS IN A DICTATORSHIP.