Is there any chance for CHINA become a Western Democratic country?

Question

As the title said.

Answer 1

I think China will develop its own system of governance over time.  It will likely incorporate chinese political philosophy from the past: Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism.  It may include ideas in modern political science, but the whole thing might not necessarily be democracy.

Amongst the intelligensia, there is debate.  Within China, there is a left and a right.  On all this, Mark Leonard's book is insightful.

The three key strands of Chinese political philosophy - Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism - give a glimpse on what a future system might look like.  Confucianism is about meritocracy, morals and ritual, and seeking advice from wise, scholarly experts.  Daoism is about harmony with nature, and reflective thought.  And Legalism is about the need for law to check society's evils and to effect justice.

I don't think China is content to follow the West. From what I've read, there is a push to go beyond state of the art, as it were, in political science.  After all, as you know, there are many flaws with representative democracy, and potential problems, especially when much of a population is not yet out of poverty, and some territorial matters remain unresolved.  You can imagine the vested interests and the direction of public policy, which might not be good for China in the long run.

There's also a Confucian tradition called "the mandate of heaven" which is all about good governance and inherent accountability.

I'm guessing some practical way of holding the government to account will be found, which will then transform China into democratic-like country.

Remember Churchill once said that democracy is the worse form of government, except for all those that have been tried.

It might well be that China's emerging system is better.

Answer 2

They may become democratic in the future; their economy is certainly moving a bit in that direction.

Moving a country the size of China to the West is going to be REALLY hard though.  I say leave them right where they are.

Answer 3

I think not. Those in power never want to give it up to the people.

Answer 4

No.  It would be impossible to move China to the West.  The best you can hope for is China to become an Eastern Democracy.

Answer 5

UMMM, sure.... but there are some common misperceptions of how that will happen.  Making deals that allows their currently oppressive government stronger both militarily and economically does not work.  Freedom of individual people and families simply can not be expected without the basic rights of private property and pursuit of life... neither of which are the foundations of the PRC.  When we and other western countries make deals that allow them to gain strength and position in the world-wide public eye, while weakening our own positions, they simply don't change !!