This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past seven and a half decades, China has continuously developed its socialist democracy, steadily advancing political reforms, and significantly modernizing its governance systems and capabilities.
Despite these achievements, some Western perspectives remain skeptical, labeling socialism with Chinese characteristics as \"non-democratic\" or \"authoritarian,\" often highlighting the notion of \"one-party rule.\"
However, China's political landscape features a distinct system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This unique structure is deeply rooted in China's history and current realities, representing a deliberate choice that diverges from Western political party systems.
Signature of Western Democracy
Western discourse has long portrayed multi-party competition and electoral interactions as the hallmark of democracy. While these systems contributed to the establishment of modern democracy in the West, recent years have exposed several inherent flaws.
One major issue is party extremism. Political parties often prioritize the interests of specific factions, classes, regions, or interest groups, leading to societal division and fragmentation.
Another significant problem is party shortsightedness. Ruling parties frequently focus on fulfilling short-term electoral promises rather than developing long-term national policies.
Additionally, party elitism poses a challenge. The high costs of election campaigns, coupled with the time and skills required to participate in party activities, deter ordinary citizens from engaging in politics. This results in systems dominated by elites.
Consequently, when faced with new economic, security, and social challenges, ruling parties in Western countries sometimes struggle to address root causes or implement effective measures to unite society and formulate sound policies.
Furthermore, many developing nations that have adopted Western party systems have not always found success, suggesting that alternative approaches like China's may offer different paths to governance and development.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
