Statecraft Leninist Technocracy with Grand Opera Characteristics
Aug 28, 2025
Dan Wang, author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future,' brings a fresh perspective from his decade in China. He explores the intriguing role of lawyers in U.S. governance versus technocrats in China, offering insights into their impacts on infrastructure. The conversation delves into the complexities of iPhone manufacturing relocation, the chilling legacy of China's one-child policy, and the challenges faced by Chinese nationals seeking freedom. Wang's multi-faceted view enables a compelling comparison of Chinese and American political cultures.
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Lawyerly U.S. Vs Technocratic China
- The U.S. has deep lawyerly roots while China built a technocratic elite from Deng's era onward.
- China’s leadership intentionally promoted engineers into top posts, shaping national priorities and styles.
Leninist Technocracy Has Opera-Scale Risks
- Leninist technocracy mixes rigorous planning with dramatic, campaign-like mobilization.
- That mix makes rational projects possible but also prone to sudden, large-scale overreach.
Propaganda as A Coordination Tool
- China's propaganda and theory organs set priorities that cascade down to village-level cadres.
- Slogans and flagship journals coordinate massive campaigns and shape what officials implement.
