Chapter 12 The key to protecting the weak and balancing interests

In the face of various social problems in Chinese society, Pan Yue advocates actively resolving and adjusting various internal contradictions that may lead to social unrest.And this involves a fundamental issue - democracy and the rule of law.Different from those who actively advocate the implementation of Western democracy, although Pan Yue believes that democracy is a necessary condition for improving the cohesion of the Chinese nation and realizing the political modernization of the country, he believes that the contemporary Chinese democratic system is a political form in which all people participate in national rejuvenation on an equal footing led by the government. But he is skeptical about the viability of Western parliamentary democracy.

Former Harvard University political scientist Seymour Martin Lipset's research on democracy has had a considerable impact on high-level Chinese officials.Lipsey believed that the political development (democratization) of a country is closely related to the socio-economic conditions of the country.These socioeconomic conditions include: ① the number of people exposed to modern affairs; ② the number of people affected by mass communication; ③ the proportion of population migrated by residents; income.According to Lipsey's research, when a country's social development is extremely low, it is difficult for the country to become a stable democracy.

Looking at the status quo of the third world countries implementing democracy in today's world, one cannot but pay attention to Lipsey's theory.According to this theory, Pan Yue believes that under the existing education system and level in China, the illiteracy rate is high, the population rate in contact with modern affairs is low, and the agricultural population rate is as high as 70%. Such a social and economic environment is definitely not suitable for a Western parliament. politics.Otherwise, when precocious democracy comes, the vast ignorant masses will be easily incited and transformed into fanatical populism.In this way, it is tantamount to returning to the anarchy of the Cultural Revolution era, and China cannot afford such a price.Based on this, Pan Yue actively advocated enriching and developing socialist democracy.For example, he advocates inner-party democracy, promotes scientific and open "policy democracy", establishes a public policy debate system, and realizes political democracy featuring social participation, government decision-making, and people's supervision.Emphasis on advancing China's modernization with the rule of law and a strong government.It is hoped that it will be realized through the transformation of government functions, the reform of the personnel system, the rule of law, democracy within the party, and the education of excellent national culture.And try to curb corruption and power rent-seeking through system design, and protect the interests of vulnerable groups.Adjust the reform orientation that focuses on efficiency, advocate the principle of both efficiency and fairness, and pay attention to the coordination between further economic development and social distribution of justice, fairness and openness.Among them, the authority of the central government is the key to realizing the openness and fairness of social life.Many people believe that for a backward power, the “transaction cost” (institutional economics term) of maintaining central power is the lowest in exchange for the greatest efficiency.