The China model : political meritocracy and the limits of democracy : with a new preface by the author

Westerners tend to divide the political world into "good" democracies and "bad" authoritarian regimes. But the Chinese political model does not fit neatly in either category. Over the past three decades, China has evolved a political system that can best be described as "political meritocracy." __The China Model__ seeks to understand the ideals and the reality of this unique political system. How do the ideals of political meritocracy set the standard for evaluating political progress (and regress) in China? How can China avoid the disadvantages of political meritocracy? And how can political meritocracy best be combined with democracy? Daniel Bell answers these questions and more. Opening with a critique of "one person, one vote" as a way of choosing top leaders, Bell argues that Chinese-style political meritocracy can help to remedy the key flaws of electoral democracy. He discusses the advantages and pitfalls of political meritocracy, distinguishes between different ways of combining meritocracy and democracy, and argues that China has evolved a model of democratic meritocracy that is morally desirable and politically stable. Bell summarizes and evaluates the "China model"—meritocracy at the top, experimentation in the middle, and democracy at the bottom—and its implications for the rest of the world. A timely and original book that will stir up interest and debate, __The China Model__ looks at a political system that not only has had a long history in China, but could prove to be the most important political development of the twenty-first century. Westerners Tend To Divide The Political World Into Good Democracies And Bad Authoritarian Regimes. But The Chinese Political Model Does Not Fit Neatly In Either Category. Over The Past Three Decades, China Has Evolved A Political System That Can Best Be Described As Political Meritocracy. The China Model Seeks To Understand The Ideals And The Reality Of This Unique Political System. How Do The Ideals Of Political Meritocracy Set The Standard For Evaluating Political Progress (and Regress) In China? How Can China Avoid The Disadvantages Of Political Meritocracy? And How Can Political Meritocracy Best Be Combined With Democracy? Daniel Bell Answers These Questions And More. Opening With A Critique Of One Person, One Vote As A Way Of Choosing Top Leaders, Bell Argues That Chinese-style Political Meritocracy Can Help To Remedy The Key Flaws Of Electoral Democracy. He Discusses The Advantages And Pitfalls Of Political Meritocracy, Distinguishes Between Different Ways Of Combining Meritocracy And Democracy, And Argues That China Has Evolved A Model Of Democratic Meritocracy That Is Morally Desirable And Politically Stable. Bell Summarizes And Evaluates The China Model--meritocracy At The Top, Experimentation In The Middle, And Democracy At The Bottom--and Its Implications For The Rest Of The World. A Timely And Original Book That Will Stir Up Interest And Debate, The China Model Looks At A Political System That Not Only Has Had A Long History In China, But Could Prove To Be The Most Important Political Development Of The Twenty-first Century-- Is Democracy The Least Bad Political System? -- On The Selection Of Good Leaders In A Political Meritocracy -- What's Wrong With Political Meritocracy -- Three Models Of Democratic Meritocracy -- Concluding Thoughts : Realizing The China Model. Daniel A. Bell. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. How China's political model could prove to be a viable alternative to Western democracyWesterners tend to divide the political world into'good'democracies and “bad” authoritarian regimes. But the Chinese political model does not fit neatly in either category. Over the past three decades, China has evolved a political system that can best be described as “political meritocracy.” The China Model seeks to understand the ideals and the reality of this unique political system. How do the ideals of political meritocracy set the standard for evaluating political progress (and regress) in China? How can China avoid the disadvantages of political meritocracy? And how can political meritocracy best be combined with democracy? Daniel Bell answers these questions and more.Opening with a critique of “one person, one vote” as a way of choosing top leaders, Bell argues that Chinese-style political meritocracy can help to remedy the key flaws of electoral democracy. He discusses the advantages and pitfalls of political meritocracy, distinguishes between different ways of combining meritocracy and democracy, and argues that China has evolved a model of democratic meritocracy that is morally desirable and politically stable. Bell summarizes and evaluates the “China model”—meritocracy at the top, experimentation in the middle, and democracy at the bottom—and its implications for the rest of the world.A timely and original book that will stir up interest and debate, The China Model looks at a political system that not only has had a long history in China, but could prove to be the most important political development of the twenty-first century. "Westerners tend to divide the political world into "good" democracies and "bad" authoritarian regimes. But the Chinese political model does not fit neatly in either category. Over the past three decades, China has evolved a political system that can best be described as "political meritocracy." The China Model seeks to understand the ideals and the reality of this unique political system. How do the ideals of political meritocracy set the standard for evaluating political progress (and regress) in China? How can China avoid the disadvantages of political meritocracy? And how can political meritocracy best be combined with democracy? Daniel Bell answers these questions and more. Opening with a critique of "one person, one vote" as a way of choosing top leaders, Bell argues that Chinese-style political meritocracy can help to remedy the key flaws of electoral democracy. He discusses the advantages and pitfalls of political meritocracy, distinguishes between different ways of combining meritocracy and democracy, and argues that China has evolved a model of democratic meritocracy that is morally desirable and politically stable. Bell summarizes and evaluates the "China model"--Meritocracy at the top, experimentation in the middle, and democracy at the bottom--and its implications for the rest of the world. A timely and original book that will stir up interest and debate, The China Model looks at a political system that not only has had a long history in China, but could prove to be the most important political development of the twenty-first century"-- Provided by publisher "Westerners tend to divide the political world into "good" democracies and "bad" authoritarian regimes. But the Chinese political model does not fit neatly in either category. Over the past three decades, China has evolved a political system that can best be described as "political meritocracy." The China Model seeks to understand the ideals and the reality of this unique political system. How do the ideals of political meritocracy set the standard for evaluating political progress (and regress) in China? How can China avoid the disadvantages of political meritocracy? And how can political meritocracy best be combined with democracy? Daniel Bell answers these questions and more. Opening with a critique of "one person, one vote" as a way of choosing top leaders, Bell argues that Chinese-style political meritocracy can help to remedy the key flaws of electoral democracy. He discusses the advantages and pitfalls of political meritocracy, distinguishes between different ways of combining meritocracy and democracy, and argues that China has evolved a model of democratic meritocracy that is morally desirable and politically stable. Bell summarizes and evaluates the "China model" ... meritocracy at the top, experimentation in the middle, and democracy at the bottom ... and its implications for the rest of the world. A timely and original book that will stir up interest and debate, The China Model looks at a political system that not only has had a long history in China, but could prove to be the most important political development of the twenty-first century." "Westerners tend to divide the political world into 'good' democracies and 'bad' authoritarian regimes. But the Chinese political model does not fit neatly in either category. Over the past three decades, China has evolved into a political system that can best be described as 'political meritocracy.' [This work] seeks to understand the ideals and the reality of this unique political system"-- Provided by publisher