The “democratization” of China’s laws and policies : two steps forward one step back from reform and Tiananmen to Falun Gong

Abstract

Only a few years ago , the idea of putting “China” and “democracy” together in the same sentence would have been inconceivable to many. Nowadays “Democratization” is a term made more applicable to China, due to the uncoupling of democracy from solely the idea of direct political participation and elections. To even begin speaking about democratic practice in China, it must be acknowledged that: 1 ) the protection of fundamental freedoms is a step in the direction of democratic practice, and 2 ) democracy in an authoritarian, one-party state must begin with limiting state power and establishing the rule of law.