Book

The dictator's dilemma : the Chinese Communist Party's strategy for survival

Dickson, Bruce J., author

Overview

\" Many observers predicted the collapse of the Chinese Communist Party following the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, and again following the serial collapse of communist regimes behind the Iron Curtain. Their prediction, however, never proved true. Despite minor setbacks, China has experienced explosive economic growth and relative political stability ever since 1989. In The Dictator's Dilemma, eminent China scholar Bruce Dickson provides a comprehensive explanation for regime's continued survival and prosperity. Dickson contends that the popular media narrative of the party's impending implosion ignores some basic facts. The regime's policies may generate resentment and protest, but the CCP still enjoys a surprisingly high level of popular support. Nor is the party is not cut off from the people it governs. It consults with a wide range of specialists, stakeholders, and members of the general public in a selective yet extensive manner. Further, it tolerates and even encourages a growing and diverse civil society, even while restricting access to it. Today, the majority of Chinese people see the regime as increasingly democratic even though it does not allow political competition and its leaders are not accountable to the electorate. In short, while the Chinese people may prefer change, they prefer that it occurs within the existing political framework. In reaching this conclusion, Dickson draws upon original public opinion surveys, interviews, and published materials to explain why there is so much popular support for the regime. This basic stability is a familiar story to China specialists, but not to those whose knowledge of contemporary China is limited to the popular media. The Dictator's Dilemma, an engaging synthesis of how the CCP rules and its future prospects, will enlighten both audiences, and will be essential for anyone interested in understanding China's increasing importance in world politics. \"-- Provided by publisher.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Zhongguo gong chan dang. / Political stability China. / Public opinion China. / POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Communism & Socialism. / POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / General. / China Politics and government 1976-2002. / China Politics and government 2002-
• ISBN: 9780190228552

Item info:

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Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
JQ1519.A5 D5289 2016	1	BOOK	AUTOSTORE