By Moshi Israel
China’s governance system has long been a source of contention among Western political leaders. This microscopic focus on China has been fuelled by Washington’s excessive fear of everything communist. Many in the West believe that in a world dominated by capitalism and neoliberalism, a so-called communist or socialist country cannot and should not succeed. Capitalism’s entire existence as an infallible economic system is dependent on the public shaming and failure of other alternative economic systems. Furthermore, the West sees itself as having been the most successful democratic experiment since the inception of the democratic idea in Ancient Greece. As a result, unless it is an exact replica of Western conceptions of democracy, any other political system is a sham.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the People’s Republic of China (PRC) unexpectedly emerged as the exception to the norm, challenging existing conventional wisdom about how a country should develop and be governed. China’s success lies at the heart of its uniqueness, and it would not have been on the radar of the West if it had failed, as most other countries that have experimented with alternate forms of governance have.
However, China has arrived, demonstrating unequivocally that capitalism and Westernization are not the only roads to prosperity, nor is Western democracy the only good system of governance. There is nothing wrong with Western democracy; the fault is with the Western political class, which believes that their form of government is the only correct one.
To resolve this dispute, people must first ask themselves, “What is governance?” What, more specifically, is good governance? If, as many in the West believe, China’s system of governance is flawed, we should apply the good governance test to it. To do so, we must first define what good governance is, what it includes, and how China measures up to it. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that China is a democratic and well-governed country; this is not to imply that China’s style of government is flawless, just as it is absurd for the West to argue that their system is the only right one.
Most rational individuals and groups would like to live in a society that is well-governed. Good governance is a continuous process that needs to be pursued consistently. Therefore, no country is perfect because good governance requires constant improvement which adapts to contemporary realities and anticipates future challenges. We can all agree that a well-governed country should be developed or developing, its citizens should be fairly prosperous and well-provided for in most aspects of their lives, its institutions should be efficient, the country’s administration should be inclusive and participatory, the country should be stable and governed by the rule of law, development should be sustainable and environmentally friendly, and the government should have a strategic vision for the future and must be able to build consensus.
China has been governed by a single party, the CPC, since the revolution. The CPC’s manner of governance combines Marxist concepts, traditional Chinese customs, and elements of Western systems to establish a socialist government with Chinese characteristics. The CPC has presided over China’s remarkable economic progress, and one of its major successes has been the emancipation of nearly a billion people from absolute poverty. The CPC has succeeded in establishing political consensus in China, with its policies widely supported and the majority of its inhabitants satisfied with the country’s course. The party is a coherent body that is led from the top but has a strong grassroots core. Every decision is decided by the party, with other democratic parties serving as consultants.
China considers itself a developing country, even though it is the second largest economy in the world, it is a global manufacturing hub with about 28% of global output and is largely known as the world’s factory. This has enabled the country to be relatively rich.
China’s whole process people’s democracy is an effective system of governance that ensures everyone is included and participates in the administration of the country. Cities in China, for example, have suggestion boxes where residents can leave their concerns and recommendations for public officials. These issues are frequently resolved in a timely manner. Within 48 hours after expressing their concerns, the complainant is contacted, and a further 48 hours are employed to examine the issue and uncover viable remedies. Few other governments, if any, can do this, demonstrating the effectiveness of Chinese public institutions and the effective responsiveness of public officials. Public authorities may be promoted or recognized for each problem satisfactorily resolved.
Furthermore, China is a technology powerhouse, with 5G and significant expenditures in renewable energy technologies. The country has committed to reaching carbon neutrality and peaking by 2030, and it is continually cleaning up its air. Chinese society is increasingly being constructed for long-term green growth. China leads in the adoption of EVs, accounting for about 60% of all newly registered electric vehicles in 2022. Moreover, China is very competitive when it comes to the development of AI technology, second only to the United States. Recent US sanctions against China over chip-making technology have mostly backfired, and China is now becoming self-sufficient in the chip-making market. The CPC’s emphasis on green development is the essence of good governance since it shows that the government prioritizes the long-term safety and well-being of its citizens. Because the climate change threat is existential, it demands dedicated political will to address and alleviate and China has shown exceptional readiness.
China is a politically stable country that is secure both internally and externally. Every citizen wishes to live in a mostly crime-free society regulated by the rule of law, which is equitably applied. China’s crime rate is quite low, and I don’t think anyone will feel comfortable invading China very soon. The infrastructure is first-rate and modern, effectively serving the people and contributing to economic development. In comparison to the United States and other European countries, China’s subway system is cutting-edge. It also has well-built, clean roads, airports, and bridges that have boosted connection throughout the country.
China’s population is properly educated, with the government providing 9 years of free education to all Chinese children. Its higher education is centered on graduating as many students as possible in STEM topics, ensuring that the next generation leads the country in science, technical innovation, and mathematics. This exemplifies the CPC’s long-term strategic strategy for its young people.
Overall, China checks the majority of the boxes for excellent governance. As the government’s leader, the CPC qualifies as a legitimate party with the people’s mandate. The right to a dignified life is the most important human right. It makes no sense to be allowed to vote but never receive the services for which you vote. What good is a democracy if it cannot meet the demands of its citizens? The ultimate purpose of any democratic society is to ensure that its people are prosperous and happy and that they can look forward to the future with hope, assurance, and security. China performs quite well on this parameter, and hence, to any sensible person, the CPC runs a well-governed democratic country, the Chinese way.
The Writer is a Senior Research Fellow with the Development Watch Centre
