In The Media
Minxin Pei
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Political Reform in China: Leadership Differences and Convergence
Whether China will undertake political reform, which is broadly defined here as institutional changes that rationalize bureaucracy, strengthen the rule of law, expand political participation, and protect human rights, has been one of the most important issues facing policy- makers in China and the West ever since China began its economic reform in 1979.
By Minxin Pei
Published on Apr 21, 2008
Whether China will undertake political reform, which is broadly defined here as institutional changes that rationalize bureaucracy, strengthen the rule of law, expand political participation, and protect human rights, has been one of the most important issues facing policy- makers in China and the West ever since China began its economic reform in 1979. Many Western policy-makers expected that, as China becomes more wealthy and integrated into the global economy, the combination of social change especially the growth of the middle class), political evolution (the emergence of a new and perhaps more forward- looking elite), and economic-technological transformation (expanding private sector and access to information) would foster political liberalization
in China.
For full text of the article, please see the PDF document on the right
About the Author
Minxin Pei
Former Adjunct Senior Associate, Asia Program
Pei is Tom and Margot Pritzker ‘72 Professor of Government and the director of the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.
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Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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