Democracy and developmentalism: Contending struggles over political change in Dengist China, 1978-1995

This study analyzes a major demarcation between political democracy and authoritarian developmentalism in struggles over political change in Dengist China. Case studies are conducted on the debates over neo-authoritarianism and neo-conservatism, two student movements and the CCP's human rights policies. The appeal of developmentalism and democracy is understood through a political-discourse analysis, which emphasizes the complex role among ideas, power and resistance. Developmentalism highlights authoritarianism to retain political stability and legitimacy during the transition to a market economy. Some CCP political groups use this discourse to deflect political opposition and to construct new myths for China's Leninist state. Democratic change, in contrast, emphasizes political liberalization to restrain autocratic politics and, more importantly, to restore human dignity. The appeal of democracy is revealed in acts of resistance against the CCP's dominant power. The conclusion argues for the importance of ideas and human agency during struggles for political change.