He Baogang argues that non-violent resistance is more effective for building a civic society and fostering socio-political cultural change. Based on his 20-30 years of research on rural democratic politics in China, he observes that reform has yielded tangible results. Non-violent methods align with democratic principles and avoid the cycle of replacing one tyranny with another, which often results from violent revolutions.
He Baogang describes a 'vicious cycle' where non-violent methods fail to dismantle authoritarianism, while violent revolutions often lead to new forms of dictatorship. This creates a paradox: non-violence cannot remove tyranny, but violence only perpetuates it, resulting in a cyclical pattern of authoritarian rule.
He Baogang cites India's independence movement led by Gandhi, Taiwan's non-violent resistance in the 1970s, and the Philippines' People Power Revolution as successful examples of non-violent resistance leading to democratic transitions. These cases demonstrate that non-violent methods can effectively challenge authoritarian regimes and foster democratic change.
He Baogang points out that modern authoritarian regimes possess advanced military technology, such as nuclear weapons, which makes violent revolution nearly impossible. The state's overwhelming power and control over resources effectively block any armed uprising, making non-violent resistance a more viable option for democratic change.
He Baogang argues that the CCP is central to maintaining China's political stability. Given its control over resources and societal structure, any attempt to overthrow the CCP could lead to chaos and fragmentation. Instead, he suggests that gradual reforms within the existing system, under pressure from protests and civil resistance, are more realistic for achieving democratic progress.
He Baogang sees failed revolutions as potentially beneficial for democratic transitions. He cites historical examples, such as the English Civil War, where failed uprisings pressured rulers to make concessions, leading to gradual democratic reforms. In China, he suggests that failed protests, like the 1989 Tiananmen movement, could similarly force the CCP to adopt incremental changes.
He Baogang emphasizes that non-violent resistance aligns with the core principles of democracy, such as resolving conflicts through elections and legal mechanisms. Unlike violent methods, non-violence fosters a culture of compromise and dialogue, which is essential for building sustainable democratic institutions.
He Baogang observes that grassroots democratic practices, such as rural budget participation and local consultations, are gradually transforming China's political culture. While these changes are subtle and slow, they indicate a shift toward greater citizen engagement and accountability, which could pave the way for broader democratic reforms in the future.
导语: 近 10 多年来,许多人对中国的政治改革从希望到绝望,主张暴力反抗和采取行动的人日增。与此同时,也有人力主非暴力抗争是中国走向民主道路的唯一路径。澳大利亚迪肯大学教授何包钢认为暴力革命和非暴力抗争是中国思想舆论界持有的两种黑白分明的政治主张,但是它也导致一个怪圈,就是一方面,非暴力不能去除专制;另一方面,暴力革命的结果只能带来专制循环。何包钢教授认为,从他这20-30年对中国乡村民主政治的研究经验看,改良确实有效,中国应当选择非暴力抗争道路,因为它有利于建设公民社会和社会政治文化变迁;从经验看,成功的暴力革命确实可能再造一个新暴君,但也不能否认它在民主转型过程中的作用。