Abstract:
In his talk, drawing on his new book The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy (Princeton University Press), Daniel A. Bell will make the following assumptions: (1) it is good for a political community to be governed by high-quality leaders; (2) China’s one-party political system is not about to collapse; (3) the meritocratic aspect of the system is partly good; and (4) it can be improved. But how to judge whether China has improved its meritocratic system? Government officials should be selected and promoted on the basis of ability and morality, rather than political loyalty, wealth, or family background. But which qualities – abilities, skills, and virtues – matter for political leaders in a Chinese context? And what sorts of mechanisms and institutions can increase the likelihood that officials are selected and promoted on the basis of those qualities? This talk will attempt to answer these questions.
The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy is available at UBC Bookstore with 20% discount.
About the Speaker:
Daniel A. Bell (贝淡宁) was born in Montreal and educated at McGill and Oxford. He is professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing and director of the Berggruen Philosophy and Culture Centre.
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Sponsor: Centre for Chinese Research, St. John College
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