Democracy with Chinese Characteristics? A Critical Review from a Developmental State Perspective

Abstract

This article examines both the arguments for a Chinese-style democracy and the past three decades of political reform in China from the perspective of the East Asian developmental state, in order to evaluate China`s political reforms and the prospects for political development. It will begin by examining theories of political development and how they relate to the East Asian developmental states. Then, the paper will analyze the main features of the political systems of developmental states. Third, this article will look at the debates on Chinese-style democracy and China`s political development, as well as the past three decades of political reform. From this, it will be argued that China has followed a path of political development similar to that of the East Asian developmental states (i.e., institutionalization ahead of democratization).