But, in the context of economic performance, it is important to emphasize that there is a huge difference between dictatorial regimes, where a single individual monopolizes all power – à la Mubarak or Syrian President Bashar al-Assad – and China, where there has been competition and contestability within a large communist party. And it is the party, operating as a fairly inclusive and meritocratic institution, not an autocratic leader, that has governed in the post-Mao period.
民主制度显然本身就具有某种价值，而且不管对其对经济增长的有无作用都值得追求。但在经济表现的语境下，应该重点强调那些一人霸占所有权力的独裁政权——比如埃及的穆巴拉克和叙利亚的阿萨德——与中国这样一个在庞大的共产党内部存在竞争和讨论的体制。在毛泽东时代过去后，中共是作为一个相当包容而且精英的体制在运作，而不是一人之下万人之上。