Zhou Changxian

Abstract：In this critical period of unprecedented changes in the world，to discuss and build consensus at the international level，it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of political development theory．Since its very beginning，faced with issues of how to achieve economic，political transition and social transformation in emerging new nations after WWII，the theory of political development is embodied with the nature of practical guidance．However，it has become a challenging field because of controversies between scholars．Based on the systematic investigation of its practice in the world，the theoretical system of political development is summarized as a theoretical system composed of modernization theory，dependency theory，world system theory and globalization theory．Of course，the system itself is under constant development．As the risk pattern associated with globalization is changing，especially during a historical period which faces epochal global changes．This，in turn，has exposed deficiencies in the original theory and research model，narrow definitions of categories，and shortcomings in methodology as well as empirical research．To make improvements，it not only needs to further enhance its ideological system and promote its middle support theories，bit also needs to balance the needs of multilevel governance mechanism，and eventually，based on the theory of political development with Chinese characteristics and its great practice，to further promote the comprehensive and sustainable development of a system of human political civilization．