I first titled this "China's slow move toward democracy."  I thought about this title.  It is true, China is moving slowly, but maybe saying slow is prejudicial.  Or not the most accurate word.  Careful might be a better word.

In October 1999, I watched the National Day parade in Beijing on TV in Shenzhen city with a Chinese colleague from the University.  It was the 50 year anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and Jiang Zemin, then president of the Communist party, said China was moving toward democracy and he thought it would take about fifty years.

My friend snorted with disgust.  "President Jiang will be dead then, so he doesn't care if China is a democracy." 

This is not an exact quote, but I believe I have accurately captured the meaning.  My friend felt the movement to democracy was too slow and maybe President Jiang's declaration was insincere. 

This article from the June 30, 2008 Washington Post leads me to be optimistic about China's move to democracy.  It is about the city of Shenzhen where I watched the parade with my Chinese friend in 1999.  The Post reports,  Local Communist Party leaders have drafted a reform plan that would soften key aspects of China's Leninist political system, authorizing expanded powers for the local legislature, direct elections for some local officials, a more independent judiciary, and greater openness and accountability within the party.

Democracy fermenting in China with the government's approval

I know that both the Chinese government and the Chinese people highly value stability.   Their last century was remarkable for instability and suffering.  I frequently heard the older people speak of instability with horror.  

Perhaps a change to democracy needs to happen slowly?   I, myself, believe that democracy is a complicated system of governance, and when people are not used to it, democracy can fail miserably.