Democracy and the Rule of Law in China (Issues in Contemporary Chinese Thought and Culture)

Democracy and the Rule of Law in China is intended to make available to English-language readers debates among prominent Chinese intellectuals and academics over issues of political, constitutional, and legal reform; modes of governance in urban and rural China; and culture and cultural policy. The writers included in this book are individuals whose views have drawn some attention in the formulation of party and government policy, including the editor, Yu Keping, a prominent party intellectual, vice-director of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau. Democracy and the Rule of Law in China is intended to make available to English-language readers debates among prominent Chinese intellectuals and academics over issues of political, constitutional, and legal reform; modes of governance in urban and rural China; and culture and cultural policy. China's unprecedented economic development following the implementation of the Reform and Opening policy has drawn widespread international attention; yet accompanying political developments have been largely overlooked. A compilation of the works of twelve contemporary Chinese scholars, this book offers unique insights into the wealth of viewpoints and diversity of issues influencing and defining the development of democracy and the rule of law in China. Based on theoretical and practical analyses of China's political development to date, the authors propose specific models for the expansion of democratic mechanisms already present in the current political structure. Exploring topics ranging from autonomous village governance and grassroots elections to constitutional reform and judicial independence, the authors are unified on one point: China's political development must pursue a gradual, distinctly-Chinese course in order to promote social stability, continued economic advancement, and the establishment of a socialist democratic society. Toward An Incremental Democracy And Governance : Chinese Theories And Assessment Criteria / Yu Keping -- An Analysis Of The Basic Theoretical Problems Concerning Democracy In China / Gu Su -- Democratization : The Chinese Model And Course Of Political Development / He Zengke -- A Survey Of Civic Character And Electoral Reform In China / Cai Dingjian -- Intraparty Democracy And Political Development : Exploiting The Resources Within The Establishment To Advance China's Democratic Development / Hu Wei -- Democratization Of The National People's Congress As The Focal Point For The Continued Advancement Of China's Democratic Development / Pu Xingzu -- The Route Of Rural Governance Reform : Strengthening Village Management And Streamlining Township And County Governance / Xu Yong -- A Survey Of China's Legislative Work To Establish Village Autonomy / Bai Gang -- Constitutionalism And China / Li Buyun -- Several Fundamental Theoretical Issues Regarding China's Constitutional Reform / Xia Yong -- Judicial Independence And Constitutional Reform / Ma Huaide And Deng Yi -- China And The Rule Of Law In The Global Era / Zhang Wenxian. By Yu Keping. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Democracy and the Rule of Law in China is intended to make debates among prominent Chinese intellectuals and academics over issues of political, constitutional, and legal reform; modes of governance in urban and rural China; and culture and cultural policy available to English-language readers. The writers included in this book are individuals whose views have drawn some attention in the formulation of party and government policy, including the editor, Yu Keping, a prominent party intellectual and vice-director of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau. --Book Jacket