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Summary:

A respected Chinese political philosopher calls for the Communist Party to take the lead in moving China along the path to democracy before it is too late. With Xi Jinping potentially set as president for life, China's move toward political democracy may appear stalled. But Jiwei Ci argues that four decades of reform have created a mentality in the Chinese people that is just waiting for the political system to catch up, resulting in a disjunction between popular expectations and political realities. The inherent tensions in a largely democratic society without a democratic political system will trigger an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy, forcing the Communist Party to act or die. Two crises loom for the government. First is the waning of the Communist Party's revolutionary legacy, which the party itself sees as a grave threat. Second is the fragility of the next leadership transition. No amount of economic success will compensate for the party's legitimacy deficit when the time comes. The only effective response, Ci argues, will be an orderly transition to democracy. To that end, the Chinese government needs to start priming its citizens for democracy, preparing them for new civil rights and civic responsibilities. Embracing this pragmatic role offers the Communist Party a chance to survive. Its leaders therefore have good reason to initiate democratic change. Sure to challenge the Communist Party and stir debate, Democracy in China brings an original and important voice to an issue with far-reaching consequences for China and the world.-- [Provided by publisher]

Table of Contents:

• Introduction: Prudential approach to democracy
• Part I. The legitimation crisis: Legitimacy and performance
• The question of regime perpetuation
• Part II. The democratic challenge: The case for democracy
• Democracy and the self-protection of society
• Contradictions and needed transitions
• Democratic preparation
• Part III. The international and Hong Kong dimensions: Democracy at home and legitimacy around the world
• Hong Kong's impact and the mainland response.

Author/Creator:

Ci, Jiwei, 1955- , author

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

In English.

Main Work:

Democracy in China: the coming crisis [by Ci, J.]

Other Related Resources:

Print version: Democracy in China [by Ci, J.] (Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2019 — ISBN 9780674238183; LCCN 2019014446; OCLC Number 1099538444)

Subjects:

Zhongguo gong chan dang

Democracy — China — History — 21st century

Democratization — China — History — 21st century

Legitimacy of governments — China — History — 21st century

2000-2099

Democratization

Legitimacy of governments

Democracy

China

Genres:

History

General Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Description based on: Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCOhost, viewed May 15, 2020).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 420 pages)

Digital Characteristics:

text file

Call Numbers:

JC423 .C56736 2020eb

ISBNs:

9780674242142 (electronic bk.)
0674242149 (electronic bk.)
9780674242159 (EPUB)
0674242157 (EPUB)
9780674242166 (MOBI)
0674242165 (MOBI)
9780674238183 [Invalid]
0674238184 [Invalid]

OCLC Numbers:

1124679238