The rise of China is blurring the lines between political systems, making terms like 'democratic' and 'authoritarian' increasingly contested. This linguistic shift reflects a deeper challenge in accurately describing contemporary political realities.

There is growing unease in how we describe political systems today. Words that once seemed clear no longer illuminate as they should. “Free”, “democratic”, “liberal” and “authoritarian” are among the most commonly used terms in political discourse, yet their meanings have become increasingly blurred and contested. This is not simply a matter of semantics. It reflects a deeper mismatch between the language we use and the realities we are trying to describe. The problem is not new. In George...