In a recent New York Times article, the author discusses a current movement by certain prominent intellectuals and publications in China that are calling for the Communist Party to endorse and enforce the principles of the Constitution of CHina that was ratified in 1982. Since its inception, the document has “languished”, and there are outspoken Chinese citizens that believe the liberalization of the “authoritarian political system” would help open up the country. Most in favor of this liberalization argue that previous reform of the country was too concentrated on economic principles, and that with a more balanced approach taking political reform into account could actually make a difference. Though these ideas are supported by a loud group, in publications and especially on the internet, it remains to be seen what type of impact these cries will have on the government.
Calls for “rule by law” or popular elections are hardly new; you’ve surely heard of the 1989 Tiananmen incident? And read about various political campaigns under Mao? To date there’s some reform around the edges, and more use of courts for routine matters, and … but judging the state of reform is hard as political scientists can’t agree on priorities much less metrics.