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Source: Getty

In The Media
Carnegie China

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.

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By Minxin Pei
Published on Apr 21, 2008
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The Asia Program in Washington studies disruptive security, governance, and technological risks that threaten peace, growth, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

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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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Minxin Pei
Former Adjunct Senior Associate, Asia Program
Minxin Pei
EconomyDomestic PoliticsChina

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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