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Introduction

In: The China Development Model

Author

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  • Dominique Rambures

Abstract

According to Tocqueville, who had been through several revolutions, ‘the most dangerous time for a government is the time when it starts reforming itself’. Over the last 30 years, China has been reforming its economy at breakneck speed; nonetheless, nothing has changed in its institutional framework. It is hard to believe that the communist regime has not changed at all while everything else has changed so dramatically. In China, as in every other country, a period of reformation is a crucial time. Confucius’ answer when a student asked him what he would do should he be in charge of the government is well-known: ‘I would start by checking names.’ Obviously, Confucius (Kong Fu zi) did not intend to rewrite the dictionary but to make sure that words fit with what they are supposed to mean. His close follower Mencius (Meng zi) used to say: ‘If words communicate the truth, that’s enough’ and ‘I hate the things which are not what they are supposed to be.’ (XV–41). Not all members of the Chinese Communist Party are devout Confucian, but they know the power of words.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominique Rambures, 2015. "Introduction," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The China Development Model, pages 1-8, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-46549-8_1
    DOI: 10.1057/9781137465498_1
    as

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