Authors say Western-style democracy won’t work in Hong Kong

Global Business

The Hong Kong ‘Occupy Central’ movement has prompted new questions about Western-style democracy in the East. CCTV America’s Wei Xuejiao interviewed Nicolas Berggruen and Nathan Gardels, authors of the book “Intelligent Governance for the 21st Century: A Middle Way Between West and East” about why they believe a Western system would not work in Hong Kong.

For decades, liberal democracy has been regarded in the West as the best system of governance. However Gardels and Berggruen argue that the pitfalls to democracy suggest that there may be a better way to govern. While Chine faces many challenges, both the East and West can benefit by adapting each region’s bets practices, they said.

“The advantages of [the] Chinese system, as I understand, is if you have debates, the body politic is unified in one party; if you have debates in the party, you have broad consultation and you come with a plan everyone agrees to and implemented without blocking down the road.” Gardels said.