Xuezhi Guo, the Lincoln Financial Professor of Political Science at Guilford College and author of 'The Politics of the Core Leader in China,' dives into the evolution of China's political leadership. He discusses the crucial shift under Xi Jinping from collective leadership to concentrated power, linking it to historical practices of core leadership. Guo highlights how Confucianism and Legalism have shaped governance while elucidating the balance needed between strongmen and collective rule. The conversation also explores the implications for the future of China's political landscape.
The concept of a 'core leader' in China has evolved to create stability and unity, mirroring historical leadership structures like emperors.
Xi Jinping's rise as a core leader reflects his unique strategy in consolidating power through loyal networks, with risks tied to this dominance.
Deep dives
Understanding China's Political Leadership
China's political framework demonstrates a historically significant notion of the 'core leader' which has evolved over centuries. This concept promotes cohesion and unity within the party and the nation, driven by the core leader's ability to establish authority through a combination of moral, instrumental, and emotional connections. The role of the core leader is akin to that of the emperor in traditional Chinese dynasties, where strong leadership was essential for national stability and governance. This historical context illustrates how the Communist Party of China's leadership has retained and adapted these principles, embedding the core leader's influence into the party’s organizational structure.
The Pendulum of Leadership in China
The dynamics of leadership within China reveal a cyclical pattern where authority oscillates between collective and strongman leadership. Strong leaders often arise in response to crises when the ruling party feels threatened by internal issues like corruption or inefficiency. Conversely, the over-concentration of power can lead to destabilization, as seen during the Great Leap Forward under Mao, which subsequently pressured the party to reinstate collective leadership norms. This mechanism suggests that the political atmosphere fosters a survival instinct among party elites to either rally around a strong leader or to collectively resist such dominance when it becomes detrimental.
Challenges of Xi Jinping's Leadership
Xi Jinping's ascent as the core leader of China signifies a critical evolution in the party's governance, attributed to his adeptness in consolidating power within a tightly knit network of loyalists. Unlike his predecessors, Xi's ability to establish dominance has been facilitated by leveraging familial connections and efficiently placing allies in key positions, thus reinforcing his authority and mitigating challenges from rivals. However, this concentration of power carries inherent risks, including the potential for poor decision-making due to insular leadership, which could ultimately jeopardize his mandate. The future of his rule will depend on maintaining public and elite support, as any significant misstep could destabilize the party's cohesion and his role within it.