Autonomous modernization in late-developing countries
China has made significant strides in national modernization over the past half-century. Photo: TUCHONG
In contrast to the simultaneous processes of state-building and nation-state formation in the West, the development of late-modernizing countries unfolds as a diachronic process, transitioning from traditional nation-states to modern democratic states. This process intertwines the tasks of material modernization, modernizing the national governance system, and cultivating social modernity. Its goal is to address the historical “deficit” in national modernization and establish an institutionalized relationship wherein politics, the economy, and society are coherently integrated.
National sovereignty and identity
The prerequisite of autonomous modernization in late-developing countries is the issue of national sovereignty. In the West, modern political systems evolved alongside civic movements, where economic power gradually came to dominate political power, and civil society used legal frameworks to constrain state authority. In contrast, the political systems of late-developing countries are shaped by national sovereignty and liberation movements, where political power holds a dominant role.
Continuous reinforcement of national identity is fundamental to state-building. Unlike typical European nation-states, socialist states do not rely on a homogenized national population to forge national identity. Instead, they promote the voluntary union of diverse ethnic groups into a collective community, creating a supra-ethnic national identity. China’s modern state-building focuses on two key dimensions: first, the establishment of state institutions that fulfill national functions while adhering to the principles of power separation and limited government; second, the development of market mechanisms as the primary force for resource allocation, along with the creation of autonomous spaces that allow individuals to free themselves from institutional dependence.
Achieving a consensus on autonomous modernization, through political parties and political mobilization, is essential for late-developing countries. The autonomous modernization of these countries may require political parties that are “led by a lofty mission and shaped by a strong sense of responsibility,” with the primary goal of inspiring people with their ideals, rather than merely seeking to gain public office by expanding voter support. Political parties in late-developing countries should respond to public demands for political participation by driving the institutionalization of national politics through their own institutionalization.
Institutionalization and governance
Highly institutionalized political parties are characterized by greater organizational stability and political legitimacy, stronger connections to the public, and more cohesive ideological alignment among members. The institutionalization of national politics, led by well-institutionalized political parties, enhances the alignment between organizational structures and regulatory procedures, enabling the system to more effectively identify and address evolving domestic political and economic circumstances.
The transition from traditional to modern economies in late-developing countries requires the advancement of economic reforms. Without such reforms, economic growth could stagnate, and even current social welfare levels could become unsustainable. However, reforms inevitably alter existing interest structures and may entail short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits. This necessitates government coordination to ensure that the costs of reforms are equitably distributed across social strata and that the most disadvantaged groups are appeased, with the goal of gradually achieving modernization while maintaining political stability.
Justice, responsiveness, and integrity form the value foundations of government quality. The political legitimacy of late-developing countries is not confined to democratic procedures; it also depends on government’s ability to identify, screen, and translate public demands into policies that are efficiently implemented. To ensure government quality, public power must be exercised lawfully and justly in political processes. It is essential to move beyond traditional governance models that overly emphasize performance and instead comprehensively improve governance quality, thereby building a strong foundation of political trust.
China’s modernization cannot succeed without the government upholding the rule of law and prioritizing both efficacy and public trust. The government must shift from a management-oriented to a service-oriented model, focusing on reforms that streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulation, and optimize services. At the same time, the boundaries, functional structures, and operational models of public authority need to be clearly defined. This will ensure that the market plays its fundamental role in resource allocation, while society can function autonomously. This approach will establish a governance system with a well-defined scope, a reasonable division of responsibilities, and alignment between authority and accountability.
Shen Chengcheng is a professor from the School of Politics and Public Administration at Soochow University.
Edited by WANG YOURAN