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Elections and Democracy in Greater China Larry Diamond (Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)

Elections and Democracy in Greater China By Larry Diamond (Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)

Summary

This collection explores how limited electoral democracy evolved in the three Chinese societies of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mainland China under dictatorial rule. Because of its special political circumstances during the 1950s and 1960s, Taiwan democratized by 2000, but the evolution of an equally robust democracy in the other two Chinese societies will take several more decades.

Elections and Democracy in Greater China Summary

Elections and Democracy in Greater China by Larry Diamond (Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)

The authoritarian Chinese regimes governing Taiwan, Mainland China, and Hong Kong allowed limited electoral competition during the last half century. In Taiwan that process evolved over more than three decades before leading to the formation of an opposition party under martial law in late September 1986 and the blossoming of full democracy in March 2000 when that opposition party replaced the ruling party. In Mainland China and Hong Kong, limited electoral competition has only evolved over the last fifteen years or so. This volume examines why and how limited electoral competition developed in Greater China. The editors use a typology and different concepts to analyse how the political centre in these three Chinese societies historically interacted with society and how different regime change took place. Their analysis attributes Taiwan's robust electoral competition under martial law to political breakthroughs in the political, ideological, economic, and organizational marketplaces. Without similar political breakthroughs in Mainland China and Hong Kong, their limited electoral processes are not likely to lead to the election of one or more opposition parties in Mainland China and the direct election of a Hong Kong governor and parliament. These two authoritarian regimes have adopted different institutions, or rules, to limit electoral competition. Moreover, different changes have been taking place in their political, ideological, economic, and organizational marketplaces than occurred in Taiwan. Therefore, whether these two Chinese societies can mimic the Taiwan democratization path remains problematic. Only the passage of time will reveal whether their limited electoral competitive processes can transform into full democracy.

Elections and Democracy in Greater China Reviews

Diamond and Myers' wise introductory analysis of how democracies evolve forms the backbone of the book. Students at all levels will benefit from reading it. * The China Journal *
... a state of the art analysis. No other book offers a better, more comprehensive look at the prospects for democracy in China. * The China Journal *
... scholars working in the area of comparative politics and especially in the field of transitions to democracy will rejoice in the appearance of this useful volume ... moreover the contrasts among Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan give nourishing food for thought with respect to the economic preconditions of democratic transitions. This book should make its way onto the syllabus in upper year and graduate seminars. * Canadian Journal of Political Science *
A timely analysis of an important ongoing area of reform ... thoughtful introductory essay by the editors ... The volume should be an interesting background reader for those working in the fields of China studies, politics, and democratisation in post-communist societies. * Asian Affairs *

About Larry Diamond (Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)

Larry Diamond is Senior Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. Ramon H. Myers is Senior Fellow and Curator-Scholar of the East Asian Collection of the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Elections and Democracy in Greater China ; 2. How Elections Promoted Democracy in Taiwan under Martial Law ; 3. Elections, Political Change and Basic Government Law: The Hong Kong System in Search of a Political Forum ; 4. Democracy Deformed: Hong Kong's 1998 Legislative Elections--and Beyond ; 5. Accommodating "Democracy" in a One-Party State: Introducing Village Elections in China ; 6. The Meaning of China's Village Elections ; 7. Elections and Power: The Locus of Decision-Making in Chinese Villages ; 8. Cultural Values and Democracy in the People's Republic of China

Additional information

GOR012664487
9780199244171
0199244170
Elections and Democracy in Greater China by Larry Diamond (Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)
Used - Good
Paperback
Oxford University Press
2001-05-10
208
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

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