Democrats within the Chinese Communist Party and China's Democratic Future: The Case of Li Shenzhi

Funding: 2005: $30,000
2006: $30,000
2007: $30,000

Project Member(s): Feng, C.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2005

Summary: Contrary to the view that political suppression, economic success and the rise of nationalism in combination make democracy irrelevant in China, a pro-democracy discourse flourishes. This research explores the impact and potential of democrats within the Chinese Communist Party after the 1989 Tiananmen Incident, with a focus on the emergence of Li Shenzhi as the democratic movement's leading voice. It also compares the contexts and strategies of China's democrats with those in the former Soviet Union, and thus seeks to increase our understanding of general issues in the transformation of communism and the transition to democracy.

Publications:

Feng, C 2009, Zhonggong dangnei de ziyou zhuyi: cong Cheng Duxiu dao Li Shenzhi [Liberalism within the Chinese Communist Party: from Chen Duxiu to Li Shenzhi], 1, Mirror Books, New York.

Keywords: Li Shenzhi, Contemporary China, Communism, Totalitarianism, Liberalism, Democracy,

FOR Codes: Social Change, Political Theory and Political Philosophy, History: Asian, Understanding other countries, International Relations not elsewhere classified, Asian History, Peace and conflict

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.