Eric X. Li was born in China and encountered different meta-narratives about political systems in China and the US. In China, the meta-narrative was that the Communist Party ensured economic and social progress, while in the US it was that free elections and independent courts were necessary for progress. However, Western elites tried to sell political reforms to China but were unsuccessful. Li argues that China's success is because the political system selects for competence and enables reform without changing the leadership. While issues like corruption still exist, the system responds to people's demands and has continuously reformed without Western concepts like separation of powers that are alien to Chinese culture.

1. Quiz A tale of two political systems – Eric X. Li
1.- Where and when was Eric X. Li born?
2.- What was the meta-narrative that the Chinese bought?
3.- What was the meta-narrative that he encountered in the US?
4.- What did the Western elites try to sell? Were they successful with China?
5.- How does Mr. Li explain China’s unprecedented success?
6.- Why was mandatory retirement age limited after Mao’s administration?
7.- Why does he claim that political reforms have never stopped?
8.- What is the purpose of the Party’s Organization Department?
9.- Who can enter the three different paths? When are the winners promoted?
10.- When are they enabled to become members of the high officialdom?
11.- How long does it take for a member to reach the Central Committee?
12.- Why does Mr. Li think the Chinese government system outdoes the Western
democratic system?
13.- What social and economic problems does he mention?
14.- How does China rank in corruption issues? Does he think corruption will be
eliminated?
15.- What undermines Western political system? Does China want to export its
political system?
16.- What is over?
17.- How does the Chinese government respond to the demands of the people?
18.- What concept does he think is alien for Chinese culture?