ABSTRACT
Editors' Introduction: This is a systematic exposition of Yan's views on the obstacles to democratic or modem politics in China. He sees profound continuities between imperial regimes and politics under Mao, and the implication of his remarks is that while some changes have been instituted since 1978, many continuities which obstruct China's political development remain in place. He advocates the separation of party and government functions, rule of law, use of democratic processes within both the party and the state, limited terms of office, etc., as ways of moving China toward democratic politics. The content of this and other essays by Yan is a clear indication of the degree of freedom of academic discussion that Chinese intellectuals enjoyed prior to the military crackdown of June 1989.
