The Distinction between True and False Democracy

ABSTRACT

The distinction between true and false democracy lies in the authenticity of the right to vote, but even more, in the universality of the right to participate; in the verbal promises made during the election period, but to an even greater degree, in whether these promises are realized afterwards; in the political procedures and rules, but still more, in the extent of their institutional and legal implementation; in the democratic nature of the rules and procedures for the exercise of power, but to a still greater extent, in the ability of the population to enforce restraints on how this power is imposed. Politics is truly democratic if its procedures are straightforward and realistic at the time of the election, while various political rights continue to be enjoyed afterwards; if people feel empowered during the election period, and that they possess sacred rights that can be effectively realized thereafter; and if voting gives people a feeling of solemn satisfaction at the ballot box, along with confidence that happiness will be delivered to them after they leave the polling station.

KEYWORDS:

• Political civilization
• true democracy
• people’s democracy
• socialist democracy
• capitalist democracy

Acknowledgements

This article is translated from Chinese by Zixu Liu at the Academy of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 See “Herbert Hoover: Campaigns and Elections,” by David E. Hamilton, Miller Center, University of Virginia. https://millercenter.org/president/hoover/campaigns-and-elections.

2 See Lincoln Memorial: https://www.ihaveadreamspeech.us/.

3 Full text available at http://www.gxnews.com.cn/staticpages/20210704/newgx60e1131f-20338382.shtml.

4 See: https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/filibusters-cloture/civil-rights-filibuster-ended.htm.

5 See AP News: https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-texas-voting-voting-rights-7d9f2da74fb647b40214fa88ccdbcebb; https://apnews.com/article/texas-democrats-voting-bills-0e475d25bc7c0a8c4019e51619cd5244.

6 See: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2021-06/01/content_5614784.htm.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xiangyang Xin

Xiangyang Xin is Director of the School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Vice-president and researcher of the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. His research focuses on sinicized Marxism. His main publications include On China’s Development (in Chinese; Shandong People’s Publishing House, 2006), A Study of the Basic Issues concerning the Scientific Outlook on Development (in Chinese; China Social Press, 2008), and A Review and Analysis of Twentieth Century Western Theories of Democracy (in Chinese; Shandong People’s Publishing House, 2011). He is also the editor of A Study of the Road of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics (in Chinese; Hebei People’s Publishing House, 2011).