In the stereotyped cycle of peace and turmoil of a feudalistic society in Chinese history, Confucian culture has always been considered the basic stabilizing force. Dynasties might alter, circumstances might change, but democracy has never taken root and grown in Chinese society as it has long done in Western countries. Even after the success of the 1911 revolution, restoration of emperorship alternated with warlord strife. For quite a long time, the Republic of China had remained just in name. The Chinese communists seized power on the mainland, but their rule has run counter to democracy, creating a new form of feudalistic dictatorship.
Source: wiktionary