By Prof. Samitha Hettige

2024 is special for Sri Lankans as they execute executive powers at two elections. First they elected a ‘Socialist President’. They are to elect a Parliament in few days & it’s the first since the 2021 economic crisis which some believe was worse than the 30 year conflict (valued approx 200 billion USD Ref S. Menon). Sri Lankans should hence, consider economic stability foremost when electing policy makers.  2024 marks the 5^th anniversary of the introduction of ‘Whole process people's democracy’ in Socialist China which is the world’s 2^nd largest economy. Governance analysts see four key features of this practice explained below (Ref. Chinese Media). Members of the new parliament may study below when developing the proposed new constitution which should prevent internal conflicts to ensure economic stability.

1. It is a people centered approach ensuring citizens' voices to play an integral role in shaping decisions. It establishes mechanisms to safeguard citizens' rights to information, participation, expression, & oversight. It allows representatives from diverse sectors to propose policies & resolutions to reflect the genuine concerns of the population.
2. The inclusiveness & authenticity of democratic practice emphasizes participatory governance which provides a channel for citizens to influence policies. It uses a problem resolution oriented approach which converts public feedback into tangible results.
3. ‘Whole process people's democracy’ combines;

• Procedural (regular elections etc.)
• Substantive (inclusive decision making etc.)
• Direct (policies are decided by majority) &
• Indirect (elected officials decide) systems of democracy (Ref. Cambridge).

Hence, the combined energy of the will of the people & the state ensures that the outcomes are aligned & matched with substantive content.

4. China's confidence in its democratic development is strengthening ‘whole process people's democracy’ contributing to a never before democratic ethos. The visible & practical achievements which eradicated extreme poverty in 2020 & is helping to establish the moderately prosperous society (the Xiaokang) in 2049 indicates the public’s belief in the system which adapts to the challenges addressing social issues.

Capitalists & Socialists from rich cultures, conflict prone populations & adaptability skills to be ‘Democrats’ should be willing to learn the democratic practices of Socialist China.  The Chinese actively contributed in developing an economy worth approx 18.5 trillion UDS (Ref. Statista) within 75 years whilst giving priority to stability through adaptive democracy.

"We are following a path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics & our people's democracy is a whole process democracy." - President Xi Jinping

(Views expressed are personal).