[Explanation] Democracy is the common value of all mankind, and all countries are exploring their own democratic path.
The West has formed an electoral democracy system in the process of modernization, and China has formed a whole-process people's democracy in the process of its own exploration and practice.
In response to the recent problems of Western democracy, the measurement standards of democracy, and whether there is mutual learning between Eastern and Western democracies, China News Agency "East and West Questions" recently interviewed Wang Wen, Executive Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China.
[Question 1] What is the root cause of the problems of Western-style democracy?
[Concurrent] Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies, Renmin University of China
Its biggest root is that it fails to take into account the nature of the existence of the essence of democracy.
The first is its age.
Democracy, which changes with the times, must have a process of continuous evolution and continuous reform.
America's understanding of democracy today is almost the same as it was in Washington 200 years ago, but times have changed dramatically.
The second is the neglect of the national character of democracy.
Every country has its own democratic characteristics according to the needs of its national conditions.
The United States believes that there is a unified standard for democracy in the world, and continues to promote it overseas to expand its democratization. At this time, you will suddenly find that there are no successful cases in the world.
[Question 2] What is the standard for measuring democracy?
[Concurrent] Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies, Renmin University of China
I think the standard for measuring democracy does not have the universal definition or concept, but there is a practical standard, and that is to evaluate the feelings of the people of the country.
Our system can meet the needs of ordinary people for their basic daily life functions. For example, we can meet the needs of ordinary people to continuously share in the social progress and the growing wealth. Second, they can meet the needs of ordinary people for basic personal safety. It is the need for equalization of social services.
[Question 3] How to understand the whole process of people's democracy in China?
[Concurrent] Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies, Renmin University of China
The whole process of people's democracy is the latest summary and refinement of China's own democratic practice over the years. I think it is a great innovation and breakthrough in human democratic thinking over the past few thousand years.
[Explanation] Wang Wen said that the whole process of people's democracy refers to the whole chain, all-round and full coverage of democracy.
Full coverage means that democracy can cover all fields and all classes.
The whole chain means that people can exercise their democratic rights not only at the moment of voting.
All-round means that the people have the right to enable the country to provide services to the people in a timely and comprehensive manner.
[Question 4] Is there any possibility of mutual learning between Eastern and Western democracies?
[Concurrent] Wang Wen, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies, Renmin University of China
In fact, we have borrowed a lot of this excellent experience from the United States, including how to promote incentives, and how to solicit the opinions of each individual in the broadest sense. I think these are all good examples of the individualism gene of the West. that part.
I think the United States is also gradually emerging some voices, hoping to learn something from China, and even more in other countries.
To a certain extent, I still believe in the progress of history, that is, in the process of fierce competition, friction and conflict between Chinese and Western civilizations in the ideological field, the final result must be to learn from each other and learn from each other. go ahead.
Reported by Zhu Fangfang, Dong Zeyu and Sui Zhiyuan
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]