: Do Chinese need western democracy? Yes, of course; 381 40.92% Absolutely not; 459 49.30% I don't care; 91 9.77% Voters: 931. nancy0206 is on a distinguished road
According to "the Strait Times" in Nov 14:
The self-proclaimed China expert, Singapore’s octagenerian leader Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had issued one of his latest “verdict” on China again.
During an exchange with Time International editor Michael Elliott at the APEC Summit, Lee was full of praise for the “benefits” of the Chinese leadership system when Mr Elliot remarked: ‘It’s not a democratic system
Lee was quick to retort that the Chinese people are “not interested” in democracy and that their primary concern was with achieving a higher standard of living.
‘You got your pro-democracy activists, but do the Chinese people worry about their vote and freedom of speech? They want the lives that they see in Hong Kong, in Singapore and before this downturn, in Taiwan,’ he said. Lee sparked a massive furore in China when he urged U.S. to remain active in East Asia to check on the rising influence of China
Brife introduction of Democracy:
Quote: Democracy is a political government either carried out by the people (direct democracy), or the power to govern is granted to elected representatives (republicanism). In the middle of the fifth-fourth century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC.
The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government or constitutional protections of individual liberties from democratic power it is possible for dissenting individuals to be oppressed by the "tyranny of the majority". An essential process in representative democracies is competitive elections, that are fair both substantively and procedurally. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests.
Popular sovereignty is common but not a universal motivating subject for establishing a democracy. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights. Many people use the term "democracy" as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include additional elements such as political pluralism, equality before the law, the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights, and elements of civil society outside the government.
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