Ya-Wen Lei, Professor of Sociology at Harvard University, joins Jude Blanchette to discuss her book 'The Gilded Cage.' They explore China's compressed development, Xi Jinping's views on regulation, limited prospects for low skilled workers, and the impact of AI technology on China's workforce and governance.

Ya-Wen Lei, an expert on China's techno-developmental regime and techno-state capitalism, discusses China's shift to a technology-oriented economy post-2008 financial crisis. She highlights the influence of local government officials, challenges faced by manufacturing workers, and the impact of tech development on inequality. Lei contrasts Daniel Bell's predictions and analyzes government-led economic development through technology, raising concerns about rising inequality and regulations in the tech sector.

Author Ya-Wen Lei discusses China's shift to technology-centered development under authoritarian rule, exploring the impacts on workers, economic sectors, and state-capital relations. The podcast also covers the government's influence on industrial businesses, challenges faced by manufacturing workers, and comparisons with other tech-driven nations like Japan and the US.