This paper addresses the topic of democratic and authoritarian political systems, comparing the United States and China. The article seeks to answer the question: does a democratic system guarantee people’s will and serve their needs more than an authoritarian government? Previous academic research has defined democracy and argued its essential elements. Claassen and Pedro (2022, 872) say that the best political formation should have the desired results and people’s needs, including human rights, protection, and economic and social stability. For Claassen and Pedro (2022, 872), a democratic government becomes legitimate if it performs in the four key areas. Claassen and Pedro join other researchers who deviate from the idea of freedom of decision-making in politics and policies in a democratic regime to examining the results of such political formation. According to Claassen and Pedro (2022, 872), a democratic government does not guarantee citizen welfare. Parvin’s (2018, 49) research shows that many people have avoided participation in politics despite a democratic system because such organizations do not solve inequalities and economic issues. The political leaders lack goodwill and a sense of responsibility to represent people once elected because of the perception that their selection satisfies people’s freedom of expression (Parvin 2018, 49). However, Reliefweb (2022, par. 3) argues that democracy assures social justice because the majority prevents the elites from dominating political institutions. Following the debate, this paper argues that democracy does not serve social justice better than an authoritarian regime considering the difference between the US and China.
According to the Freedom House (n.d, 1), the US scores more on civil liberties and political rights, 51 and 32, than China. The total rating for democracy in the US is 83, with the highest nation scoring 98. China claims to be democratic, but its political rights and civil liberties score is meager, -2 and 11 (Freedom House n.d, 1). Freedom House defines democracy as the independence and involvement in political decisions such as voting and civil liberty, including freedom of expression. Thus, the US is a democratic nation while China is on the continuum’s authoritarian side.
Two key differences between China and the US are adherence to the law and corruption. The US’s most democratic nation contains significant lawlessness and conflict between leaders as they serve their interests. For example, the Trump government had many vacant appointments that forced Congress to operate contrary to the law (Freedom House n.d, 1). Trump and congress hand diverse objectives that hampered working on people’s will. The US government also rates 3 out of 4 in protecting corrupt officials (Freedom House n.d, 1). Such lawlessness and corruption in China are minimal. The Chinese government is stringent on its elected and appointed leaders regarding their performance in following the law and corruption. Despite the authoritarian leadership, the Chinese elites do not take advantage to serve personal interests. Such difference reveals that a democratic regime does not guarantee adherence to social justice because leaders lack nothing to prove their legitimacy in office other than an election where citizens participate (Parvin 2018, 45). In the US, the leaders get the power to become selfish because citizens will blame themselves for any underperforming person. The elites lack responsibility following a shift on the blame to the public for choosing less effective individuals.
Another difference between China and the US across the democratic-authoritarian divide is a concern for citizens. The US Congress and executive serve a few interests, including Wall Street and the pharmaceutical companies (Guimaraes 2018, 1). Such companies and influential individuals benefit political leaders through funding and campaigns that leave power and wealth within a few people leading to inequality. The elites have held the government captive, so it is not free to pursue Americans’ Interests. In most cases, influential individuals have resources, while politicians require support to win elections through a democratic system that will approve their behaviors in the government. Americans have no question about the leaders and vote for them again because of the flawed democratic system where politicians use fraud and finances to attract voters. The primary Chinese government concern is the economic status of millions of people affected by tremendous economic development. China has worked hard to empower the low class with a growing economy. Such concern is absent in the US (Guimaraes 2018, 1). An authoritarian government has dictator leaders who want to impress the people to avoid blame (Pedro 2022, 872). The Chinese elites ensure social justice through strict measures such as limited freedom in voting to ensure that only performing and uncorrupt leaders remain. Thus, China’s less democratic nation provides for citizen welfare more than the US.
The difference between Chinese and US democracy results from their history in political organization and economic status. Before the 19th century, china was at risk of losing power to foreign countries (Wong 2018, par. 3). The monarchies and democratic monarchies included everyone in the government to the extent of having illiterate and underperforming people. As a result, the country had ineffective leaders due to political unconsciousness and illiteracy. Through the Imperial court, the country chose strict guidelines for those who would get the top leadership positions with requirements such as education, owned properties, or hand experience in the military or government (Wong 2018, par. 4). China wanted to develop its social and economic structure by having an effective political system through productive leaders. The country is still working to better its economy and reach the level of other powerful and wealthy nations such as the US. Therefore, China has limited democracy, including voting and citizen liberty, to harness all its resources, including humans, in ways that support overall growth.
Unlike China, the US democracy has developed from an economically thriving nation in agriculture and industrialization. The US had division across industrialized and agricultural states with different needs. For example, slavery has been key to some states that rely on agriculture. The nation’s wealth led to the fight for independence. The US has also had many non-Americans following the nation’s origin with enslaved people and immigrants from Africa, India, and other countries. As a result, the key US focus has been peaceful coexistence and freedom. Today, African Americans and other immigrants still fight for their liberties within the US. Americans are also seeking independence from the government and other nations. The need for freedom has led to an increasingly growing democratic system that will satisfy people’s needs. For example, the US has fair elections and people inclusion in political decisions such as polities. The purpose of political freedom and liberty is to make citizens feel free, unlike ensuring economic and social development.
To conclude, democracy is ineffective in ensuring people’s will and has a different purpose, to fulfill the need for freedom and liberty. The US democratic system exists due to citizens’ demand for independence and inclusion in political decisions. Such involvement has not been helpful because the elected leaders serve their interests and those of elites, for instance, pharmaceutical owners. The failure of a democratic regime is evident in income and economic inequality in the US. China has an authoritarian government because it needs to boost its economy. The system commits dictator leaders to serve people to avoid blame because citizens have no decisions to select the leaders they believe can represent their will.
Bibliography
Claassen, Christopher, and Pedro C. Magalhães. 2022. “Effective government and evaluations of democracy.” Comparative Political Studies 55, no. 5: 869-894.
Guimaraes Tor. 2018. “US Democracy vs Chinese Democracy,” Conference: World Association of International Studies At: Electronic Forum Affiliation: Stanford University, Web.
Parvin, Phil. 2018.”Democracy without participation: A new politics for a disengaged era.” Res Publica 24, no. 1: 31-52.
Reliefweb. 2022. “It is people’s participation that guarantees peace, democracy, and human rights,” Reliefweb, Web.
Wong, Alan. 2018. “Is China a democracy? A long (and better) answer,” Inkstone News, 2018, Web.