Just to indulge: In the west, politics might often stay similar just because of the nature of that game (which also applies just as much in China for politicians) but yes, it is actually democratic to be able to throw one party out in favor of another if the previous one went a bit too far. It happens a lot and is much better than having your One-Party state dictate the terms of all discourse and change with near impunity. You can't be rationally serious if you think that there isn't a difference between the two.
Discussion of class conflicts in the US is pervasive and widespread, if you can't find it it's because you're deliberately ignoring the subject. People are also allowed to openly criticize the policies of their leaders on social media or wherever they like.
Even self-absorbed Trump, who likes to consider himself king shit of all leadership, regularly gets roasted viciously right on nationally syndicated TV via late night shows, comedy sketches and news opinion pieces.
Please feel free to tell me with a straight face that anyone, much less the media outlets, can do this in your beloved Chinese "social democracy" against say, Xi Jinping.