The World Policy Institute
at New School University

Presents

WILL CHINA DEMOCRATIZE?

a panel discussion with

DR. ANDREW J. NATHAN, Class of 1919 Professor and Chair of Political Science at Columbia University

DR. YAN SUN, Professor of Political Science at the Graduate Center and Queens College, City University of New York

DR. CHENG CHEN, Assistant Professor of Political Science, State University of New York at Albany

and

SIJIN CHENG, China Analyst at the Eurasia Group and PhD candidate, Boston University

moderated by

DR. JAMES H. NOLT, Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute and Adjunct Professor of Political Science, The New School

With a global trend toward democracy plus its remarkable success at economic development the question often arises whether China will make commensurate progress in democratization. There have been a few hopeful signs at the local level, including some competitive elections, but even there democratization is limited. Unrest has been growing among peasants and others left behind by economic progress and frustrated by corruption and lack of political responsiveness. At the national level there are some indications that toleration for dissent, essential for democracy, is actually decreasing. What are the obstacles to democratization in China? Are there now more pressures for democratization because of the vast expansion of education and the middle class? Is it possible China could experience top-down democratization initiated by the Communist authorities as happened throughout much of the former Soviet Bloc?

Thursday, April 13, 2006, 6:00-7:30 p. m. Swayduck Auditorium, first floor, 65 Fifth Avenue (between East 13-14th sts.). Admission is $5.00.

To RSVP, tickets can be purchased by phone with a credit card at 212-229-5488 or in person at The New School Box office, 66 West 12 Street, main floor. The office hours are Mon-thurs 1-8pm and fri 1-7pm. Inquiries can be sent to boxoffice@newschool.edu. WPI will not be handling reservations. If you need special accommodations, please call 212-229-5808 Ext 1 at least five days in advance.