The age old debate about whether democracy is the best form of government remains a matter of interest for both democrats as well as non-democrats. In particular, for those who are known practitioners of democracy, the biggest challenge will be how democracy can remain relevant to our times. For this, a self reflection and appraisal of the democratic system will be required. Only then can it remain in tune with the changes taking place and also the concerns about the ills of democracy can be diagnosed and necessary correction adopted. Otherwise the very legitimacy of democracy as a form of government and way of life will come into question. In this regard it will be proper to study the Chinese model of governance, leadership and the vitality of their economic and social system that goes to make their nation. While the negative perception held by the western world about China’s political system gets its due share of attention in the global media, there is at the same time the unheard of but very much unique and efficient model of governance that China has been able to successfully put in practice—what has come to be known as (developing) socialism with Chinese characteristics.
So basically the Chinese model goes beyond politics and incorporates what is called the ‘great leap’—“to emancipate the mind, persist in reform and opening up, pursue development in a scientific way, promote social harmony and strive for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects”. The aim to promote social equity, justice and to confront the growing threat posed by corruption is also welcoming. One significant point seen in tackling corruption, the Chinese way, is the manner in which their leadership has taken up corruption as a major political task, to be addressed at the highest level. This underlines the position that corruption is actually a political agenda, usually rare for any political leadership to take up but which the Chinese model is determined to pursue with a clear stand to combat corruption and uphold integrity of the Chinese people. Interestingly, the ideological position of the Chinese model is that it will continue with political reforms but would never ape the Western political model. This is something that has to be respected and at the same time to be seriously taken note of as ‘food for thought’, especially by those in the developing world as they struggle in political transition from tradition to modernity.
In this regard one must note the prevalent truth which makes China tick. Its sustained economic growth exceeding the 10 percent mark is but a testimony to its political governance which has been able to direct reforms, better economic management, recovery in government revenues and higher labour productivity. This is unlike the system of democracy prevalent in India, which is more and more guided by populism and less by economic rationality thereby failure to achieve the double digit growth rate. On the ideological front, the Communists in China have done much better at adaptation—reflected in its scientific outlook on development and in the party's theoretical innovation suited to both global changes as also the country’s national interest. The Chinese model of change with continuity, of pragmatism and stability is an apt lesson for social reconstruction, economic progress and political competence, which is a big lesson for democrats to perhaps also adapt and change according to the needs and times of our age.
