Socialist consultative democracy
The essence of the people's democracy is that the people get to discuss their own affairs. Consultative democracy is an important way of effecting Party leadership and a model and strength unique to China's socialist democracy. It is rooted in China's realities and its political and cultural traditions, and embodies the distinctive strengths and advantages of China's socialist democracy.
Under the CPC leadership, the state organs, CPPCC organizations, other political parties, community organizations, social organizations, people from all walks of life and the general public will hold extensive consultations regarding the major issues in economic and social development and the immediate interests of the people, before any decision is made or during its execution. This is a special form of socialist democracy to protect the overall interests while accommodating the interests of various parties concerned.
It focuses not only on outcomes of decision-making but also on broad participation in this process. It emphasizes not only the importance of respecting the opinions of the majority, but also the need to ensure that minority voices are heard. It broadens the scope of democracy, so that people can enjoy democracy to the greatest extent possible.
As a distinctively Chinese political institution, the CPPCC is a major channel for socialist consultative democracy, and its committees are specialist consultative bodies. The 19th CPC National Congress stated, "We will advance extensive, multilevel, and institutionalized development of consultative democracy," which is the strategic task and pathway to developing socialist consultative democracy in the new era.
社会主义协商民主
有事好商量，众人的事情由众人商量，是人民民主的真谛。协商民主是实现中国共产党的领导的重要方式，是中国社会主义民主政治的特有形式和独特优势，符合中国的现实国情，契合中国的政治文化传统。其基本概念是在中国共产党领导下，国家政权机关、政协组织、党派团体、基层组织、社会组织、各族各界人士和人民群众，对经济社会发展重大问题和涉及群众切身利益的实际问题，在决策前和决策实施之中开展广泛协商，既维护整体利益又兼顾各方的社会主义民主政治的特有形式。它不仅关注最终的决策结果，也关注决策过程中的广泛参与，不仅强调对多数人意见的尊重，也强调少数人意见的充分表达和权利的维护，拓宽了民主的广度，从而在最大限度上实现人民民主。人民政协是具有中国特色的制度安排，是社会主义协商民主的重要渠道和专门协商机构。党的十九大报告强调：“要推动协商民主广泛、多层、制度化发展。”这是新时代社会主义协商民主建设的战略任务和基本路径。
