極權主義的反思：中國研究與比較政治的探索

Reflections on Totalitarianism: The Exploration of Chinese Studies and Comparative Politics

極權主義曾是比較政治與中國研究上重要的「理念型」分析工具，近年來學界多從後極權主義、威權主義韌性或硬性威權主義等角度，分析中國大陸的統治形式。也有人從賢能政治與政府善治的角度，分析改革開放政策為什麼會獲致快速的成功與非凡的成就。福山則從強勢政府的角度，解釋大陸成功發展的關鍵成因。
近期有些論者指出，極權主義已經復返，並特別稱之為「新極權主義」。本文將對極權主義的基本特質與現實指涉進行探索，探討極權主義到底是觸手可及的現實，還是止於「理念型」的分析概念？本文進一步指出，在探討「後極權主義改革」與「重回極權統治」的二元命題時，必須先釐清預設的核心課題，到底是從美國利益的角度出發，尋找維繫美國霸權地位的優勢與契機？還是應從「反省西方」的角度著手，關切中國自身的調適與發展，進而比較各國之間不同的轉型經驗，探索「後極權體制」所面對的困境，以掌握制度變革與促進善治的成因？

Totalitarianism was once an important ''ideological'' analysis tool in comparative politics and China studies. In recent years, academic researchers have mostly analyzed the forms of governance in mainland China from the perspectives of post-totalitarianism, authoritarian toughness, or rigid authoritarianism. There are also people who analyze why the“reform and opening”policy had achieved achievements quickly and successful, in order to the perspective of meritocracy and good governance. Fukuyama explained the key reasons for the successful development of the mainland from the perspective of a strong government. Some commentators have recently pointed out that totalitarianism has returned, and they call it the ''new totalitarianism.''
This article will explore the basic characteristics and realistic references of totalitarianism, and explore whether totalitarianism is a reality within reach, or is it limited to ''ideological'' analytical concepts? This article further points out that we should look for advantages and opportunities to maintain the hegemony of the United States from the perspective of American interests. Or should we start from the perspective of ''introspecting the West,'' caring about China's own adjustment and development, and then comparing different transitional experiences between countries, exploring the difficulties faced by the ''post-totalitarian system,'' in order to grasp the causes of institutional changes and promoting good governance?