The Party and the People

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Since 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has maintained a strong grip on the country, overseeing unprecedented economic growth despite social upheaval and violence. This raises questions about how the party operates, the nature of political life in China, and the prospects for democracy. Bruce Dickson explores these themes, highlighting the party's dual approach: repression in response to significant political threats and responsiveness to localized economic or social unrest. While the regime shows a degree of responsiveness often overlooked by international observers, it ultimately lacks accountability to the public. Opportunities for the public to choose leaders are limited to local levels, with the party controlling when to compromise or suppress dissent. Dickson examines critical questions regarding leadership selection, policy-making, and the conditions under which protest and civic engagement are permitted or stifled. Acknowledging the secrecy surrounding the party's inner workings, he utilizes a wide range of sources to illuminate what is known about the CCP's functioning and what the future may hold as Xi's increasingly repressive governance continues.