The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy

Awards:   Commended for Guardian Best Holiday Reads 2015 Commended for A Financial Times Summer Books Selection 2015 Short-listed for Financial Times Best Books in Politics of the Year 2015
Author:   Daniel A. Bell ,  Daniel A. Bell
Publisher:   Princeton University Press
Edition:   Revised edition
ISBN:  

9780691173047


Pages:   360
Publication Date:   06 September 2016
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
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The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy


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Awards

  • Commended for Guardian Best Holiday Reads 2015
  • Commended for A Financial Times Summer Books Selection 2015
  • Short-listed for Financial Times Best Books in Politics of the Year 2015

Overview

Full Product Details

Author:   Daniel A. Bell ,  Daniel A. Bell
Publisher:   Princeton University Press
Imprint:   Princeton University Press
Edition:   Revised edition
Dimensions:   Width: 14.00cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.510kg
ISBN:  

9780691173047


ISBN 10:   0691173044
Pages:   360
Publication Date:   06 September 2016
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  General ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Language:   English

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition ix Acknowledgments xxi Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Is Democracy the Least Bad Political System? 14 Chapter 2 On the Selection of Good Leaders in a Political Meritocracy 63 Chapter 3 What's Wrong with Political Meritocracy 110 Chapter 4 Three Models of Democratic Meritocracy 151 Concluding Thoughts: Realizing the China Model 179 Notes 199 Selected Bibliography 283 Index 307

Reviews

Reading Bell is rewarding. . . . This book is more than a bold challenge to democracy: it serves as a sincere invitation to a sober and less ideologically loaded dialogue between East and West. --Tao Wang, Asian Journal of Comparative Politics A very well-written book that presents original scholarship. --Zhiming Cheng, Political Studies Review A must-read scholarly account of China's political development with stimulating questions, powerful analysis as well as theoretically relevant arguments. The discussion of political elite-recruiting system impressively spans thousands of years, from ages of empires to nowadays, and a number of countries and regions including United States, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan among others. One has to admire the comparative perspective the author puts in various historical periods and social contexts. --Bingdao Zheng, Chinese Political Science Review In conclusion, Bell's book is interesting and intriguing. It argues convincingly that every political system is a trade-off, and asks important questions about the US (electoral) democracy and Chinese (communist) meritocracy. Bell also develops his own model, combining elements from both. --Dao A deeply stimulating contribution to normative political theory. --Thomas Pangle, Perspectives in Politics This book is a must-read text for all political scientists, in particular, for those who study democracy and democratization. It can open their eyes and help them to move out of their comfort zone toexamine the tough and pressing issues in the real world in which democracy and meritocracy must be combined to improve democratic government and solve many practical issues. --He Baogang, Perspectives in Politics A must-read scholarly account of China's political development with stimulating questions, powerful analysis as well as theoretically relevant arguments. --Bingdao Zheng, Chinese Political Science Review Bell is not an apologist for China but someone who teaches us to ask different questions. And these questions are fascinating. --Mariana Mazzucato, Financial Times, a FT Best Book of 2015 This book is a welcome addition to the expanding literature on the emerging `China model'. . . . Bell's argument, based on his long-term observation of China's political development, provides a nuanced, thought-provoking view of the meritocratic aspects of the Chinese system that have been obscured by the broad label `authoritarianism.' It offers an original explanation for the resilience of the Chinese regime and essentially challenges the widely held notion that liberal democracy is the universally desirable political outcome for modern societies. --Choice Serious re-evaluations of democracy are inhibited by two factors: fears about the alternatives turning sour and a century of educational indoctrination that makes imagining the alternatives a frightful exercise. Bell's book should be read as an antidote (or if you prefer, an elixir) to overcome these doubts. --Siddharth Singh, Mint In careful, clear and measured prose, [Bell] works hard to overcome prejudice, defuse emotions and discuss the pros and cons in the cool language of political philosophy. This, perhaps, is the book's greatest contribution. --James Miller, Literary Review of Canada The China Model . . . is as important for us as it is for China. If the book brings us some humility about the ways in which an undemocratic model like China's can be deeply rooted in history and culture, it will have done good work. But it will do something better if it can remind us that our own history isn't over. --Rob Goodman, POLITICO Bell makes a solid and worthy case for why the outside world might want to think about the Chinese experiment in governance a bit more deeply. . . . This is a very clearly written book. --Kerry Brown, Asian Review of Books Bell . . . has written a fascinating study. Open-minded readers will find it equips them with a more intelligent understanding of Chinese politics and, no less valuable, forces them to examine their devotion to democracy. . . . [The China Model] isn't just for those who want to better understand China. More than anything I've read for a while, it also forced me to think about what's good and bad about Western systems of government. From start to finish the book is a pleasure and an education. --Clive Crook, Bloomberg View [I]t is part of the job of academics to ask fundamental questions that challenge conventional thinking. Bell performs this role admirably in lucid, jargon-free prose that leads the reader back to some of the most fundamental questions in political philosophy - refracted through the experience of contemporary China . . . I found the questions that Bell raised consistently stimulating. --Gideon Rachman, Financial Times A Financial Times Summer Books SelectionSelected as one of Financial Times (FXXT.com) Best Books of 2015A Guardian Best Holiday Reads of 2015 selection


A Financial Times Summer Books Selection Selected as one of Financial Times (FT.com) Best Books of 2015 A Guardian Best Holiday Reads of 2015 selection [I]t is part of the job of academics to ask fundamental questions that challenge conventional thinking. Bell performs this role admirably in lucid, jargon-free prose that leads the reader back to some of the most fundamental questions in political philosophy - refracted through the experience of contemporary China ... I found the questions that Bell raised consistently stimulating. --Gideon Rachman, Financial Times Bell ... has written a fascinating study. Open-minded readers will find it equips them with a more intelligent understanding of Chinese politics and, no less valuable, forces them to examine their devotion to democracy... [The China Model] isn't just for those who want to better understand China. More than anything I've read for a while, it also forced me to think about what's good and bad about Western systems of government. From start to finish the book is a pleasure and an education. --Clive Crook, Bloomberg View Bell makes a solid and worthy case for why the outside world might want to think about the Chinese experiment in governance a bit more deeply... This is a very clearly written book. --Kerry Brown, Asian Review of Books The China Model ... is as important for us as it is for China. If the book brings us some humility about the ways in which an undemocratic model like China's can be deeply rooted in history and culture, it will have done good work. But it will do something better if it can remind us that our own history isn't over. --Rob Goodman, POLITICO In careful, clear and measured prose, [Bell] works hard to overcome prejudice, defuse emotions and discuss the pros and cons in the cool language of political philosophy. This, perhaps, is the book's greatest contribution. --James Miller, Literary Review of Canada Serious re-evaluations of democracy are inhibited by two factors: fears about the alternatives turning sour and a century of educational indoctrination that makes imagining the alternatives a frightful exercise. Bell's book should be read as an antidote (or if you prefer, an elixir) to overcome these doubts. --Siddharth Singh, Mint This book is a welcome addition to the expanding literature on the emerging 'China model'... Bell's argument, based on his long-term observation of China's political development, provides a nuanced, thought-provoking view of the meritocratic aspects of the Chinese system that have been obscured by the broad label 'authoritarianism.' It offers an original explanation for the resilience of the Chinese regime and essentially challenges the widely held notion that liberal democracy is the universally desirable political outcome for modern societies. --Choice Bell is not an apologist for China but someone who teaches us to ask different questions. And these questions are fascinating. --Mariana Mazzucato, Financial Times, a FT Best Book of 2015 A must-read scholarly account of China's political development with stimulating questions, powerful analysis as well as theoretically relevant arguments. --Bingdao Zheng, Chinese Political Science Review


A Financial Times Summer Books Selection Selected as one of Financial Times (FXXT.com) Best Books of 2015 A Guardian Best Holiday Reads of 2015 selection [I]t is part of the job of academics to ask fundamental questions that challenge conventional thinking. Bell performs this role admirably in lucid, jargon-free prose that leads the reader back to some of the most fundamental questions in political philosophy - refracted through the experience of contemporary China ... I found the questions that Bell raised consistently stimulating. --Gideon Rachman, Financial Times Bell ... has written a fascinating study. Open-minded readers will find it equips them with a more intelligent understanding of Chinese politics and, no less valuable, forces them to examine their devotion to democracy... [The China Model] isn't just for those who want to better understand China. More than anything I've read for a while, it also forced me to think about what's good and bad about Western systems of government. From start to finish the book is a pleasure and an education. --Clive Crook, Bloomberg View Bell makes a solid and worthy case for why the outside world might want to think about the Chinese experiment in governance a bit more deeply... This is a very clearly written book. --Kerry Brown, Asian Review of Books The China Model ... is as important for us as it is for China. If the book brings us some humility about the ways in which an undemocratic model like China's can be deeply rooted in history and culture, it will have done good work. But it will do something better if it can remind us that our own history isn't over. --Rob Goodman, POLITICO In careful, clear and measured prose, [Bell] works hard to overcome prejudice, defuse emotions and discuss the pros and cons in the cool language of political philosophy. This, perhaps, is the book's greatest contribution. --James Miller, Literary Review of Canada Serious re-evaluations of democracy are inhibited by two factors: fears about the alternatives turning sour and a century of educational indoctrination that makes imagining the alternatives a frightful exercise. Bell's book should be read as an antidote (or if you prefer, an elixir) to overcome these doubts. --Siddharth Singh, Mint This book is a welcome addition to the expanding literature on the emerging 'China model'... Bell's argument, based on his long-term observation of China's political development, provides a nuanced, thought-provoking view of the meritocratic aspects of the Chinese system that have been obscured by the broad label 'authoritarianism.' It offers an original explanation for the resilience of the Chinese regime and essentially challenges the widely held notion that liberal democracy is the universally desirable political outcome for modern societies. --Choice Bell is not an apologist for China but someone who teaches us to ask different questions. And these questions are fascinating. --Mariana Mazzucato, Financial Times, a FT Best Book of 2015 A must-read scholarly account of China's political development with stimulating questions, powerful analysis as well as theoretically relevant arguments. --Bingdao Zheng, Chinese Political Science Review This book is a must-read text for all political scientists, in particular, for those who study democracy and democratization. It can open their eyes and help them to move out of their comfort zone to examine the tough and pressing issues in the real world in which democracy and meritocracy must be combined to improve democratic government and solve many practical issues. --He Baogang, Perspectives in Politics A deeply stimulating contribution to normative political theory. --Thomas Pangle, Perspectives in Politics In conclusion, Bell's book is interesting and intriguing. It argues convincingly that every political system is a trade-off, and asks important questions about the US (electoral) democracy and Chinese (communist) meritocracy. Bell also develops his own model, combining elements from both. --Dao A must-read scholarly account of China's political development with stimulating questions, powerful analysis as well as theoretically relevant arguments. The discussion of political elite-recruiting system impressively spans thousands of years, from ages of empires to nowadays, and a number of countries and regions including United States, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan among others. One has to admire the comparative perspective the author puts in various historical periods and social contexts. --Bingdao Zheng, Chinese Political Science Review


A Financial Times Summer Books Selection Selected as one of Financial Times (FT.com) Best Books of 2015 A Guardian Best Holiday Reads of 2015 selection [I]t is part of the job of academics to ask fundamental questions that challenge conventional thinking. Bell performs this role admirably in lucid, jargon-free prose that leads the reader back to some of the most fundamental questions in political philosophy - refracted through the experience of contemporary China ... I found the questions that Bell raised consistently stimulating. --Gideon Rachman, Financial Times Bell ... has written a fascinating study. Open-minded readers will find it equips them with a more intelligent understanding of Chinese politics and, no less valuable, forces them to examine their devotion to democracy... [The China Model] isn't just for those who want to better understand China. More than anything I've read for a while, it also forced me to think about what's good and bad about Western systems of government. From start to finish the book is a pleasure and an education. --Clive Crook, Bloomberg View Bell makes a solid and worthy case for why the outside world might want to think about the Chinese experiment in governance a bit more deeply... This is a very clearly written book. --Kerry Brown, Asian Review of Books The China Model ... is as important for us as it is for China. If the book brings us some humility about the ways in which an undemocratic model like China's can be deeply rooted in history and culture, it will have done good work. But it will do something better if it can remind us that our own history isn't over. --Rob Goodman, POLITICO In careful, clear and measured prose, [Bell] works hard to overcome prejudice, defuse emotions and discuss the pros and cons in the cool language of political philosophy. This, perhaps, is the book's greatest contribution. --James Miller, Literary Review of Canada Serious re-evaluations of democracy are inhibited by two factors: fears about the alternatives turning sour and a century of educational indoctrination that makes imagining the alternatives a frightful exercise. Bell's book should be read as an antidote (or if you prefer, an elixir) to overcome these doubts. --Siddharth Singh, Mint This book is a welcome addition to the expanding literature on the emerging 'China model'... Bell's argument, based on his long-term observation of China's political development, provides a nuanced, thought-provoking view of the meritocratic aspects of the Chinese system that have been obscured by the broad label 'authoritarianism.' It offers an original explanation for the resilience of the Chinese regime and essentially challenges the widely held notion that liberal democracy is the universally desirable political outcome for modern societies. --Choice Bell is not an apologist for China but someone who teaches us to ask different questions. And these questions are fascinating. --Mariana Mazzucato, Financial Times, a FT Best Book of 2015


Author Information

Daniel A. Bell is dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University in Qingdao.

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