China's Trapped Transition: The Limits of Developmental Autocracy - Tapa dura

Pei's most significant contribution lies in his lucid exposition of the causal links between the structural logic of China's "illiberal adaptation" and its manifest socio-economic and political consequences...He has arguably--like Elvin before him--raised the level of debate and altered the terms of engagement.--Richard Baum"China Journal" (01/01/2007)

The rise of China as a great power is one of the most important developments in the 21st Century. But, despite dramatic economic progress, China's prospects remain uncertain. In a book sure to provoke debate, Minxin Pei examines the sustainability of the Chinese Communist Party's reform strategy - pursuing pro-market economic policies under one-party rule. Pei casts doubt on three central explanations for why China's strategy works: sustained economic development will lead to political liberalisation and democratisation; gradualist economic transition is a strategy superior to the 'shock therapy' prescribed for the former Soviet Union; and a neo-authoritarian developmental state is essential to economic take-off. Pei argues that because the Communist Party must retain significant economic control to ensure its political survival, gradualism will ultimately fail. The lack of democratic reforms in China has led to pervasive corruption and a breakdown in political accountability. What has emerged is a decentralised predatory state in which local party bosses have effectively privatised the state's authority. Collusive corruption is widespread and governance is deteriorating. Instead of evolving toward a full market economy, China is trapped in partial economic and political reforms. Combining powerful insights with empirical research, "China's Trapped Transition" offers a provocative assessment of China's future as a great power.