Since China’s reform and opening up, its approach to democracy has evolved from an initial focus on elections in the 1980s to grassroots democracy in the 1990s, then to intra-party and participatory democracy. Recently, emphasis has been on comprehensive, multi-level consultative democracy. These developments underscore democracy’s importance in Chinese politics, which seeks a balance between governability and modernization through a capable, yet constrained government. This study sheds light on the evolving nature of Chinese democracy.

About the Author
Yang Guangbin is a distinguished professor at Renmin University of China, serving as Vice President in both the Institute of National Development and the Chinese Political Science Association. Specializing in social science methodology, political theory, and Chinese politics, his expertise also encompasses comparative politics and international relations.