CPC at 104: Nostalgia or Inspiration?

(A slightly revised version of my piece published in China Daily)

I spent half of my life in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—a one-party, federal state led by the League of Communists. That country, plagued by internal contradictions and forgetful of its Marxist roots, collapsed under the weight of both its own mistakes and intense Western interference. We were told it had been an “artificial” state, doomed from the start. The blame fell squarely on the communist ideology and the alleged authoritarianism of one-party rule.

Then came the promised democracy. We tossed away the achievements of socialism and stepped eagerly into the dazzling light of “real democracy.” Three decades later, we find ourselves trapped in a never-ending transition to nowhere. What we were sold as freedom and prosperity has delivered disillusionment, insecurity, and bitter social fragmentation.

Now, on the eve of yet another anniversary of the Communist Party of China, I find myself reflecting not with resentment but with respect. The failure of Western-style multiparty democracy to deliver on its promises pushes many of us—especially those who remember—to reassess what we lost. For the younger generations, this is a harder task; their minds have been occupied by decades of Western propaganda, teaching them that There Is No Alternative (TINA principle).

But there is. China shows us that.

Electoral democracy, as practiced in the West, is increasingly a theatre. Citizens are reduced to consumers of political marketing, manipulated by media and corporate interests. Democracy has become an empty ritual of elections without real choice. The political parties have turned into business enterprises, using public funds for private gain and operating at the service of global capital.

Each additional year of the Chinese Communist Party's governance offers further proof that we may have been deceived. China's system is certainly not perfect, but it delivers. It delivers stability, security, a clear direction, and—most importantly—hope. And it improves…

The CPC never claimed universality for its model. It does not seek to impose it. But those of us who observe from the sidelines cannot ignore what has been achieved in 104 years of the Party's existence, including 76 years of national leadership. China's success is not just in material development, but in proving that a one-party state guided by a coherent, people-oriented ideology can function effectively and adaptively.

It is a direct refutation of the claim that communist governance is inherently dysfunctional or oppressive. It challenges the dogma that happiness and freedom only exist in the liberal democratic West. Chinese citizens consistently report some of the highest levels of trust in government and satisfaction with national direction. If democracy means the will and well-being of the people, is this not democracy?

The CPC has evolved not through outside lectures, but by learning from its own history—mistakes included. Unlike our societies, which eagerly accepted Western tutelage and abandoned their traditions, China has modernized without severing its civilizational roots. It doesn't worship utopia, but works steadily toward achievable, concrete goals. It doesn't demand bloodsport competition but cultivates a sense of collective purpose. This is not stagnation—this is direction.

Success lies not just in ideology, but in implementation. China’s meritocratic system—often misunderstood or ignored in the West—is rooted in its own civilizational logic. State leadership is not a popularity contest but a rigorous selection of the competent. Contrast that with the so-called Western democracies, led more and more by kakistocrats: the worst and least worthy, chosen not for virtue or competence, but for loyalty to party machines and corporate sponsors.

Just look at some of the leaders at the helm of the most powerful Western nations. They are not only unintelligent or uninspiring—they are outright destructive. Their personal inadequacy is often masked by performative rhetoric and media manipulation. When one fails, another takes their place—often worse than the last. And still, we're told this is the pinnacle of human freedom.

Meanwhile, in China, young people believe not in vague dreams but in concrete possibilities. They see a future for themselves, not through domination of others, but through shared development. The social contract is not a dead letter but a living guide. It provides stability, encourages creativity, and fosters a sense of purpose.

As I wish the CPC a happy 104th birthday, I also mourn what we have lost. We once had something of value—something rooted in solidarity, dignity, and social justice. We traded it for a model that has left us angry, atomized, and disillusioned. Just look around the region of the former Yugoslavia: all you see are ruins and desperation in the desert of post-socialism.

As the years pass and I grow older, I am increasingly convinced that a one-party system, grounded in a humane and coherent left ideology, is not the enemy of freedom but its deepest expression. It embodies a social consensus in which the many work for the good of the many. And the result? Citizens who contribute to the happiness and security of others—and therefore have every reason to stand proud, fulfilled, and at peace with themselves.

(The original and slightly shorter version has been published by China Daily.)