Details of Research Outputs

This essay discusses the problems of democracy by examining the writings of the Chinese thinker Zhang Taiyan (1868-1939). The goal of this essay is not to promote Zhang's political philosophy as a panacea to the problems of democracy. Instead, it uses Zhang's struggle with Chinese political problems to clarify the complex nature of democracy-its source of power, its modes of participation, and its institutions to channel the people's voice. Focusing on Zhang's attempts to balance three competing claims of democracy-the protection of the people's rights, the expression of the people's voice, and the prudent exercise of power in taking care of the citizens' needs-this article elucidates a "Buddhist-Daoist" model of democracy that is different from the American model of local autonomy and the French model of a strong state.