Three Necessary Shifts for Deepening the Study of Democracy
Sang Yucheng, Professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University
To advance the study of whole-process people's democracy, three critical shifts are necessary based on existing research:
First, a shift from theory-focused research to practice-oriented research is essential. We must define democracy through practical application rather than theoretical speculation. President Xi Jinping's assertion that "people's democracy is a whole-process democracy" is grounded in China's vibrant political practice, not theoretical deduction. Additionally, we should evaluate the degree of democracy through practical outcomes and use these insights to guide its future direction. Democracy should be understood as a dynamic process embedded in a country's political development trajectory.
Second, a transition from general research to specialized, topic-focused research is required. Whole-process people's democracy is a broad concept, and current research has largely remained at a general level. Specialized research, for example, could focus on specific processes such as legislation or decision-making, examining how to integrate the principles and spirit of whole-process people's democracy into these areas. This includes exploring how to enhance the democratization of cadre selection systems and using whole-process people's democracy to address the issues that matter most to the public. These areas demand a shift from general to specialized research.
Third, a move from extensive research to field-specific research is crucial. After the introduction of the concept of "whole-process people's democracy," various organizations have been grappling with the question, "What does this mean for us?" This includes people's congresses, political consultative conferences, organizational systems, united front systems, democratic parties, government agencies, schools, and more. It is important to recognize that whole-process people's democracy is not a demand placed on any single system or department but a comprehensive requirement for China's political development. However, given the diverse structures and functions of these organizations, the implementation and practice of whole-process people's democracy will vary across different fields. Therefore, in-depth research is needed on how different fields and organizations can effectively practice and develop whole-process people's democracy.
In addition to these shifts, three key issues must be addressed in the study of whole-process people's democracy: fundamental, foundational, and forward-looking issues. Fundamental issues pertain to the core aspects of people's political lives, such as why people engage in political activities, how to live a fulfilling political life, and what the ultimate goals and orientations of political life should be. Foundational issues involve deep-seated, root-level questions that our research must address. Forward-looking issues focus on the impact of future economic and technological developments on political progress, which are significant challenges facing humanity in the contemporary era. These are all critical forward-looking issues that require our attention and research.
Published on May 22, 2025