China’s focus on getting its house in order offers lessons in governance

China’s emphasis on internal renewal carries significant lessons for governance worldwide. The Communist Party’s “self-revolution” call signals a shift from sporadic anti-corruption purges to an institutionalized process of ongoing renewal, strict accountability and political discipline. Critics view this as a means to solidify President Xi Jinping’s power ahead of the next party congress, but its broader implications are profound.

One-party systems like China’s pose unique challenges to accountability, as they lack the multiparty checks and balances found in Western democracies. However, liberal democracy’s effectiveness in combating corruption is not guaranteed either. Multiparty elections have been marred by systemic corruption in many democracies, and money politics can lead to disproportionate influence of wealthy individuals and interest groups over legislative processes.

The global order is facing mounting challenges, and Beijing’s internal focus raises a fundamental question: can countries hope to contribute to global stability without first putting their own affairs in order? China’s commitment to self-reformation aligns with Confucian principles emphasizing self-cultivation as the foundation for societal order.

This worldview cautions against prescribing solutions to others without first addressing one’s own shortcomings. By adopting a concentric circle approach, China envisions change starting at the individual level, progressing through families, communities, nations, and ultimately the global sphere. This philosophy underpins China’s foreign policy and its push for global leadership, as reflected in its Global Development, Security, Civilisation and Governance initiatives.

However, Beijing acknowledges that its international ambitions must be backed by domestic effectiveness. The global transition towards Asia necessitates that China demonstrates its capacity to govern itself before shaping international governance. This principle is echoed in China’s white paper on global governance, which demands real actions and functional accountability from major powers.

Ultimately, the Communist Party’s call for self-revolution transcends its political system, challenging the notion of any single governance model as the ultimate authority. It underscores that domestic renewal is essential for a country to credibly champion international peace, stability, and good governance. As Western nations grapple with internal conflicts and polarisation, it becomes evident that neglecting domestic divisions can weaken a state's ability to contribute to the global order.

In essence, China's journey towards self-improvement serves as a compelling model for nations worldwide, demonstrating that the path to global leadership begins with leading by example at home.