Minxin Pei’s Top Ten Greatest Hits

Minxin Pei, a leading expert on Chinese authoritarianism, has been writing for the?Journal of Democracy?since 1992. Over three decades, the Claremont McKenna political scientist has chronicled China’s transformation into a global superpower and descent into neo-Stalinism. The following ten essays comprise some of Pei’s best, detailing how Beijing tightens control at home while exerting evermore power on the world stage.

China: Totalitarianism’s Long Shadow China’s fast economic rise has not dented its dictatorship, but Xi Jinping’s neo-Stalinist strategy has unleashed new challenges and tensions for the Communist Party’s long-term prospects for survival.

China: From Tiananmen to Neo-Stalinism To grasp why post-Mao China’s remarkable economic development has not aided democracy, we must look first at the policies of top Chinese leaders.

China in Xi’s “New Era”: A Play for Global Leadership It has long been hoped that China would be integrated into the liberal world order. That particular “China dream” has ended, however, as Beijing seeks to reshape the world order, with itself at the center.

Transition in China? More Likely Than You Think Evidence from social science and history suggests that China is entering a “transition zone” that will threaten its capacity to maintain both authoritarian rule and high levels of economic growth.

China and East Asian Democracy: Is CCP Rule Fragile or Resilient? Is “authoritarian resilience” in China a passing phenomenon, or is it something more durable?

How Will China Democratize? No one should underrate the will and skill that the ruling Chinese Communist Party will put into keeping its grip on power.

China’s Changing of the Guard: Contradictory Trends and Confusing Signals Political renewal is contending with a process of political decay that has yet to reach an end.

“Creeping Democratization” in China Though East Asian autocracies appear untouched by democracy’s “third wave,” liberalizing trends are nonetheless present, and may eventually pave the way for genuine democracy.

The Puzzle of East Asian Exceptionalism East Asia’s successful market reforms without corresponding democratic reforms cast doubt on the necessity of democratization. Yet such exceptionalism might eventually lead to its downfall.

Societal Takeover in China and the USSR While attempts to reform communism in China and the USSR led to starkly different outcomes, both turned into revolutions because powerful, autonomous, and assertive social groups took control.