On 21 May, Clingendael Asia Studies will hold a seminar on China’s political evolution and the prospects for democratization in China. Guest speaker is Professor Andrew Nathan.

For a long time political analysts and China observers have argued that China’s economic development and the emergence of a middle class in the past two decades would inevitably be followed by political liberalization. More recently however, this idea is losing support. The country’s economic prowess after the financial crisis, Beijing’s new assertiveness as well as its refusal to make substantive concessions on human rights raise, doubts about future political reform. On May 21, China specialist and Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, Andrew Nathan, will share his views on the prospect of democratization in China.

Andrew Nathan is Professor of Political Science at Columbia University. His research focus includes Chinese politics and foreign policy, human rights, and the comparative study of political participation and political culture. He is also co-chair of the board of Human Rights in China, a member of the board of the National Endowment for Democracy, a member of the board of Freedom House, and a member of the Advisory Committee of Human Rights Watch, Asia. His books include Chinese Democracy, The Great Wall and the Empty Fortress: China’s Search for Security (with Robert S. Ross); The Tiananmen Papers (co-edited with Perry Link); and China’s New Rulers: The Secret Files (co-authored with Bruce Gilley).

Open event, registration needed. Please send an e-mail to Mrs. Ragnhild Drange at rdrange@clingendael.nl by May 17.

15.00 – 17.00 uur | Clingendael, Clingendael 7, Den Haag | www.clingendael.nl