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Article: Human rights, democracy and China.(Contemporary China: The Consequences of Change)
- Article from:
- Journal of International Affairs
- Article date:
- January 1, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Columbia University School of International Public Affairs. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The issue of human rights and democracy has perplexed China for more than a hundred years. The fact that this issue has not died out, but instead has become even more conspicuous with the passage of time indicates its bearing on China's development and foundation. Broadly speaking, there are two attitudes in China towards human rights and democracy. One is to view human rights as a product of Western culture, a value system that the West wants to impose on China which is not suitable to Chinese sentiments (their guozing). The other attitude regards human rights and democracy as a better social system for safeguarding human dignity and interests and also a way for China to ...