Rule of law and democracy: Lessons for China from Asian experiences

Foreign leaders, academics and pundits often suggest that the successful democracies in Asia, such as Taiwan, may provide inspiration for China. On the contrary, Chinese leaders and citizens are not likely to be inspired by what they see elsewhere in Asia or other regions. Rather, they are more likely to conclude that the best approach is to continue to follow the “East Asian Model” and postpone democratization until the country is richer and more stable.2