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Lecture

Decoding Chinese political discourse

The formation and transformation of key concepts in the contemporary PRC

When

27 May 2026

11:00 - 12:30 CET

Where

Sala Triaria

Villa Schifanoia

This panel will examine the formation and transformation of key concepts in contemporary Chinese political discourse, by focusing on two notions central to the discursive legitimation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) at both domestic and international levels: democracy (minzhu 民主) and multipolarity (duojihua 多极化).

We will explore how the Chinese Communist Party has redefined democracy outside the Western liberal framework, culminating in Xi Jinping’s formulation of whole-process people’s democracy , and analyse its development alongside the evolution of debates on multipolarity since the post–Cold War era.

By bringing these conceptual trajectories into dialogue, the panel will highlight how discourses on democracy and multipolarity have evolved in parallel and in interaction, forming a broader conceptual framework through which China legitimises its political system domestically while articulating a normative vision of the international order.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event.

Links

Contact

Mia Saugman

Send an email

Scientific Organiser

Giulio Pugliese

European University Institute and King’s College London

Speaker

Asia Marcantoni

University of Urbino

Alessia Paolillo

Sapienza University of Rome

Discussant

Stefano Pelaggi

Sapienza University

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