Politics & Governance / Political Philosophy & Theory / Power & Governance Theory

Beyond Liberal Democracy: Political Thinking for an East Asian Context超越自由民主东亚语境下的政治思考东亚贤能政治如何超越西方民主

Beyond Liberal Democracy: Political Thinking for an East Asian Context

Daniel A. Bell

Beyond Liberal Democracy: Political Thinking for an East Asian Context (Daniel A. Bell) This article delves into how to re-examine and localize the Western concept of liberal democracy within the East Asian political context. The author argues that human rights, democracy, and capitalism should not be blindly regarded as universal and immutable principles, but rather that more legitimate alternatives should be sought by combining Confucian traditions with local social realities. Through comparative analysis, the book proposes a bicameral system combining meritocracy (elite rule) with democratic elections, and discusses the prioritization of economic survival rights and family responsibilities (such as filial piety) in East Asian societies. Its core purpose is to challenge the prejudice that "the Western model is the best," emphasizing the indispensable value of local knowledge in promoting political reform and enhancing international cross-cultural dialogue.