Democracy or Dictatorship?: A Response to Gordon White

Abstract

How can China best establish a prosperous democracy? I agree with Gordon White on most of the important issues. We both believe that democracy is highly desirable and feasible in China. The debate about democracy in China often centres on the question of whether or not Chinese culture is compatible with democracy, but that will not be at issue here, as both Gordon and I believe it is. We also agree that despite 'even because of' its economic success, the current government faces political problems so severe that fundamental political reform is an urgent necessity. We agree too that legitimacy is one of the most pressing political issues. We also share the grave concern that if political reform is mishandled, it could result in chaos and violence; or luan, as Chinese commentators are wont to say. Both of us view avoidance of this as a fundamental priority. Finally, neither of us believes that there is any quick or easy means by which China can establish a stable democracy or that democracy is a panacea for all other problems. The difference between us, then, is only on the matter of which means might best reach the end we both desire and avoid the dangers we both fear. Gordon White seeks to be a 'realist' and recommends a gradual transition from a totalistic regime to an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime so as to preserve as much continuity and stability as possible. He fears the results of an early attempt at democracy. His proposal calls for a moderate authoritarian government composed of enlightened leaders that would from its inception be committed to