China's whole-process people's democracy continues to flourish

Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

A record-high $15.9 billion was spent leading up to the just-concluded elections in the United States. Well before Election Day arrived, many Americans were fed up with the non-stop political advertisements they had seen on television, received via text message, or found in their mailboxes. A majority of Americans would prefer if social media platforms stopped hosting such ads, a desperate plea by voters seeking relief from election information fatigue.

The chaos of the 2024 political season in the U.S. serves as a stark reminder that democracy, as defined by the West, is not the only democracy worth recognizing. Another robust form of democracy is on display in China, and its success story continues.

China introduced the concept of whole-process people's democracy in 2019. At that time, the country carefully balanced the importance of democratic participation along with developmental needs. The white paper titled "China: Democracy That Works" is perhaps the most important document to read in order to understand this dual commitment and responsibility to the Chinese people. Published in 2021, it notes that democracy "is a common value of humanity," and the Chinese people understand that whole-process democracy allows them to be masters of their society.

The white paper asserts: "The best way to evaluate whether a country's political system is democratic and efficient is to observe whether the succession of its leaders is orderly and in line with the law, whether all the people can manage state and social affairs and economic and cultural undertakings in conformity with legal provisions, whether the public can express their requirements without hindrance, whether all sectors can efficiently participate in the country's political affairs, whether national decision-making can be conducted in a rational and democratic way, whether people of high caliber in all fields can be part of the national leadership and administrative systems through fair competition, whether the governing party is in charge of state affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and whether the exercise of power can be kept under effective restraint and supervision."

China meets these requirements and the others not listed here.

The paper clearly states that democracy "is not a decorative ornament, but an instrument for addressing the issues that concern the people," a point we will soon return to.

However, before we elaborate on the whole-process people's democracy, we should acknowledge that critics abound. Despite admitting that Chinese society has benefited from hallmarks of democracy, especially the rule of law and the enshrinement of human rights embedded in China's governance, one harsh voice contends that "it is hard to recognize that the Chinese political system is heading for democracy." One should consider the aforementioned balance between democratic and developmental aspirations before drawing such conclusions.

Another critic has argued that until China holds elections similar to those in the U.S., then it is merely playing mind games with domestic and international audiences.

Is it not fair to suggest that $15.9 billion in advertisements, often containing nasty claims about political opponents, amounts to playing mind games with voters? How should we square the potential positive goals of democracy with the negativity of campaigning? For example, do societies want a national leader calling the supporters of a political candidate "garbage"? U.S. President Joe Biden made such a comment about the supporters of Donald Trump before the election. What message does such rhetoric send to the world?

The criticisms of whole-process people's democracy lead to one conclusion: The West envisions national elections as the be-all and end-all of defining a democratic nation. This framework allows elections to be used as a hammer to dismiss the legitimacy of whole-process people's democracy.

One might wonder whether these critics would acknowledge the well-documented concerns about Western democracy – the dominance of only a couple of parties, the desperate need for fundraising to stand, the manipulation of elections from both domestic and foreign actors, and the media's intense focus on polls – that undermine its global reputation.

Viewed from another perspective, Western-style democracy is not perfect, and admitting this would pave the way for a more nuanced debate about democracy and whole-process people's democracy.

Let's return to China's commitment to whole-process people's democracy and remember that the people's needs is essential for its validation. The evidence is undeniable: This responsibility to improve people's lives better is demonstrated daily, and the resulting achievements are ongoing.

Whole-process people's democracy, working alongside national development, has ensured the eradication of absolute poverty and the associated improvements in the lives of both urban and rural citizens in China. Likewise, whole-process people's democracy has facilitated China's creation of cutting-edge technologies that benefit the environment. It has enabled a rapid increase in scholarly papers by Chinese professors and a significant spike in patents developed within the country. It has turned win-win cooperation into a reality, rather than an empty political promise.

In summary, whole-process people's democracy demands that the people benefit from policy decisions and that tangible results are evident. In China, whole-process people's democracy meets both criteria.

In a speech delivered in 2021 at the Central People's Congress Work Conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "We can learn from other countries' political achievements, but we will never blindly copy Western political systems and models." The Chinese people agree.

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