China Modernizes: Threat to the West Or Model for the Rest?Two sharply contrasting views of China exist today. On the one hand a rising superpower predicted to have the largest economy in the world by mid century, on the other hand a brutal, anachronistic and authoritarian regime, a threat to geo-stability and to the economies of the industrial world. So which China is the real China? Randall Peerenboom addresses this question by exploring China's economy, political and legal system, and most controversially, its record on civil, political and personal rights in the context of the developing world. Avoiding polemic and relying on empirical evidence, he compares China's performance not with first world countries such as the US and UK but with other middle income countries and highlights the often hypocritical stance of an international community which demands standards from others that it does not match at home. He also critically evaluates the benefits of globalisation and democratisation and the normative values of the West set against Beijing's determination to retain its cultural and political integrity. This book seeks to bridge the gap in understanding about China and to create a firmer foundation for mutual trust, while recognising that there are inevitable risks in a shift in global power of this magnitude that will require hard headed pragmatism at times where interests collide. |
Contents
two opposing views of China | 1 |
China and the East Asian Model | 26 |
3 Taking rights seriously? Official policy and actual practice | 82 |
4 Social and economic rights law and order womens rights and cultural rights | 129 |
why China is subject to a double standard on rights | 163 |
rule of law and good governance | 184 |
7 Debating democracy | 233 |
8 What if China democratizes? What if it doesnt? | 257 |
modernity with modesty The strengths and limits of the EAM | 282 |
Endnotes | 298 |
| 363 | |
| 395 | |
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Common terms and phrases
administrative allowed approach areas Asia Asian Asian countries attempts authoritarian Bank better China Chinese citizens civil and political claims concerns constitutional continue corruption courts crime criminal critics cultural defendants democracy democratic detention developing countries domestic East Asian economic economic growth effective elections failed foreign freedom given global greater groups higher human rights important improve income increased India indicators individual institutions interests issues Japan judges justice Korea lack lead leaders legal system less liberal limited living majority measures noted officials organizations particular Party policies political rights poor poverty practices problems protection rates reforms regime region relatively remains reports require restrictions result rise role rule of law social society South South Korea stability standards studies successful suggests Taiwan tion trade values violations wealth Western women World