Introduction
There have been many concerns about the level to which trade openness contributes to democratization in China. Over a long time, China has been pointed out as one of the countries that make efforts to block democratic activities. From the political leadership to businesses, an autocratic system of leadership has been dominant. However, recent studies indicate that the increased levels of activism, trade dealings with many democratic countries have contributed to democratization. This research paper outlines a broad range of literature works on trade and democracy in China. It will demonstrate the weaknesses and strengths of different literature works, theory and hypothesis on the topic and finally the empirical analysis. According to O'neil (2015), the study of trading activities and democracy is essential to help understand the role played by trade in the democratization of a country.
Literature review
Over a long time, China has seen many scholars describe it as an autocratic or authoritarian country because of the political regime way of leadership. The scholars have expressed a lot of pessimism in the democratic in the democratic future of the country based on the previous actions by those in the position of power. However, the trends in the country are seen to be a true account of the classical modernization theory. According to the theory, democratization will always come with economic development activities such as trade. There are those scholars that have predicted that by the year 2020, the country will be a full democracy. The argument of these scholars relies on the fact that the many aspects that previously hindered democratic activities in the country have changed to a big extent. Among the aspects that have changed over time include the Chinese cultural practices, the trends in political leadership and business practices.
The rapid changes in economic development in the country and increased trade relations with many democratic countries across the globe are also among the factors contributing to a move from a system with confined trade practices to liberal approaches to trade. According to Hopewell (2015), the ruling Chinese Communist Party seems to have confidence in the increased liberalization of trade practices since the move has placed the country on a global scale. Previously, the country leadership did not believe in the liberal rules regarding trade practices and other activities; many of its economic activities concentrated within the confines of China or the Asian continent. The move by the country to trade with other developed economies such as the United States has led to assimilation and an influence of democratic practices. During the third wave of democratization, many countries that resorted to liberalism as a way of democratization such as Taiwan were in the same state like China. As studies demonstrate, many countries that fall in a mid-level category of economic development have a high chance of becoming full democratic nations. This makes China stand a high chance of becoming a fully democratic state if the trends in economic development continue.
Trade plays a major role in influencing cultural practices and reservations of a community. Due to trade, people from different cultures can interact and exchange cultural practices. People learn the way of life of other through interaction. The openness in trade between China and other democratized countries has contributed to cultural interactions. One of the leading economic activities in the Chinese country is industrialization. The Chinese government has had a chance to construct roads in many countries across the globe due to the presence of superior technology and manpower in the sector. Such activities have facilitated the movement of Chinese people from their country to other democratized nations where they learn of new practices. To engage in such trading activities, the country has been compelled to sign agreements and treaties that align with the democratic requirements of international bodies. Another aspect that has continued to spearhead the route to a democratic China is the increased tourism activities. China is one of the major players in the tourism industry. To attract more visitors to its destinations the country needs to demonstrate a commitment to promote human rights which include aspects of democratic leadership. Studies indicate that in a bid to attract more tourists to the country, the ruling regime has made adjustments to the rules and guidelines in the sector to demonstrate a commitment to individual welfare. Such steps have also been embraced by the local governments to increase revenue from tourism which has contributed to some waves of democracy in the country. Some of the areas that are arguably believed to bring about changes in the regime to have the country changed to a full democracy include redistributive taxes, permission to organized labor movements to carry out their activities without the interference of the ruling regime and, incorporation of progressive taxation policies in business operations. Despite the strong resistance by the ruling regime to address such matters, scholars predict changes that will happen soon.
Inequality and democratization in China
The levels of inequality in China are very high. Wealth is concentrated among few individuals who are in the ruling regime government while many of the common citizens languish in abject poverty. The inequality index of China is one of the highest in the world. The statistics used to arrive at the inequality level is arguably believed not to include unreported income and scholars suggest that the index could even be much higher. There is a big gap in the levels of income between the people living in urban areas and those in rural areas. However, research indicates that, despite the increasing gap between the two groups, many people are optimistic that the country is moving towards democratization.
The increased cases of resentment from the citizens because of the increased inequality have made the ruling regime make adjustments to some of the authoritarian aspects because they increased outrages in the country. The hate between the rich and the poor has led to anxiety and wars making development activities to stall. As a result, the ruling regime has embraced the use of meritocracy rather than the unfair systems in offering opportunities. Such moves are said to play a big role in the democratization of the Chinese society according to Chan, C. K. C. and Hui (2014). The increased demand for social justice and equality in all aspects of life including trade has contributed to the ruling regime shift from the growth model that dominated its strategies previously. The increased population in the country and high concentration of people in urban centers has contributed to a shift of investments projects to rural areas. The shift to rural areas has come with the development of infrastructure such as schools. Such steps have contributed to increased levels of education by people living in rural areas and increasing the level of awareness to demand social equality. Many young individuals have distrust in the ruling regime, and this has increased the pressure from the civil society for social equality and democratization. As scholars argue, economic interests of individuals in the Chinese society have surpassed the cultural interests. As a result, the cultural reservations of the Chinese society are losing ground to the level in which they can influence democracy. People are more concerned with ways to source a living rather than defend their culture, a move that has increased the level of awareness and reduced the force of an oppressive regime.
Strengths and weaknesses of literature work
Many of the literature work on the democratization in China due to trade openness give hope to the people living in China. The work clearly demonstrates some of the aspects that are good indicators of forward movement which is strength of this literature. However, the scholars also demonstrate some weakness in their literature given the fact that they cannot tell how much culture, political regime, and conservative trade policies influence efforts towards a democratic China.
Theory and testable hypothesis
Different theories have been put across to explain the reason behind democratization of many countries that are believed to be autocratic in nature. Such theories include the classical modernization theory that has demonstrated how changes occur in regimes and countries due to economic development. According to the theory, many countries change into Democrats because of certain aspects that come with development. One of the major aspects that come with economic development is modernization. Many people move to doing things in the modern way basing their practices on the existing trends in the industry. The involvement of China in trade and international relations is because of the benefits that come with such endeavors. Learning from the United States and other developed European countries China saw it necessary to embrace trading practices with other countries. To be able to benefit from such activities certain conditions are given to member states, which include respect for human rights and social justice. Such conditions push autocratic regimes to adjust their systems and style of leadership to allow for social justice and equality a move that stems democracy in a country. The other aspect addressed by the classical modernization theory is the fact that when there is economic development as a result of trade, people interact with each other a move that increases awareness. As a result of increased awareness, people become conversant with their rights and demand them from the ruling regimes and such governments are bound to give in to pressure because they do not want to lose business internationally due to disregard for human rights.
Development and trade come with increased infrastructure such as schools and colleges. Some students move to other countries in search for skills to perform certain tasks. This is evident in the increased number of Chinese students studying in Europe and the United States. When people are educated, they end up learning about their rights and reduce their chances of being oppressed. Such moves have seen the power of civil society slowly grow in the Chinese society. The civil society and activists have been a major force in spearheading reforms in many democratic countries. Such efforts are believed to give a positive outcome in the Chinese society since the ruling regime cannot risk losing trading opportunities because of unfair systems that do not embrace democracy.
For a long time, many of the Chinese citizens have not had the chance to exercise their democratic rights. However, the current trends spearheaded by a close link between trading and political reforms have seen many nationalists enjoy several aspects present in a democratic society. Studies indicate that many of the people among the middle-class Chinese can have their home, travel to other countries across the globe and engage in business activities without the interference of the ruling regime.
Good trading policies and conditions are dependent on the approach to human rights and social justice. For the country to trade globally, compliance with human rights and democratic principles in business are necessary. However, the system of leadership does not depend on the trading policies. Some countries do not consider the leadership system of another before entering into business agreements. Many countries consider the trading policies and their economic interests, only a few will go up to the style of political leadership.
Hypothesis
There are several guess works formulated in the mind that seek to demonstrate the relationship between the dependent and independent variables in this research work. One hypothesis that exists in this work is the belief that trade depends on the political stability, especially international trade. Countries cannot trade with others especially those from developed democracies if such countries have no regard for social justice and human rights. To have a good trading agreement, China needs to address matters of social justice and human rights that are aligned to democracy. Since most of the revenue of the country come from international trade especially with developed democracies, the ruling regime will be compelled to embrace democracy if they wish to continue benefiting from favorable trading policies.
Empirical analysis
A lot of data and information has been collected to demonstrate the level of optimism towards democratic China. Studies on quantitative data have shown many individuals born after the 1980's strongly opposing the autocratic regimes in the country. A lot of criticism from the civil society and activists has also mounted pressure on the government to shift their system of leadership. International trade agreements have been key to the opening of China to the outside world and giving locals an opportunity to travel and engage with new cultures.
China held a big stake in the United States Treasury securities a move that has contributed to adjustment in its approach to trade, democratic and social justice policies.
Statistics indicate that in past two decades, the net worth of individuals in the Chinese society was very low. However, there has been a growing trend since then up to the year 2007, but the 2008 financial crisis halted this. After the crisis, the trend began to rise again a move that is attributed to an increase in trading activities between China and other nations globally. The increased trading activities have been attributed to the incorporation of reforms into the system of leadership by the ruling regime which saw a wave of democratic activities.
Conclusion
Trading activities contribute to adjustments and reforms in aspects touching on social justice and democratization. According to Irwin (2015), many countries tend to adjust their systems to secure or protect favorable trading agreements that are a source of revenue. Over time China has been cited as one of the countries that are resistant to democracy due to the autocratic system of leadership. However, the countries efforts to secure trade agreements from developed democracies has pushed it to reconsider its system of leadership because trade with countries like the United States demands respect for social justice and democratic right. Such circumstances have made the country make adjustments towards a democratic state. Nevertheless, studies do not indicate to what extent culture inhibits the efforts toward a democratic China although many individuals and researchers are confident and optimistic that China is soon turning to a democratic country.
References
Chan, C. K. C., & Hui, E. S. I. (2014). The dynamics and dilemma of workplace trade union reform in China: the case of Honda workers' strike (pp. 203-217). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Hopewell, K. (2015). Different paths to power: The rise of Brazil, India, and China at the World Trade Organization. Review of International Political Economy, 22(2), 311- 338.
Irwin, D. A. (2015). Free trade under fire. Princeton University Press.
O'neil, P. H. (2015). Essentials of Comparative Politics: Fifth International Student Edition. WW Norton & Company.
