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Do leaders matter? : Chinese politics, leadership transition and the 17th Party Congress

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Breslin, Shaun. (2008) Do leaders matter? : Chinese politics, leadership transition and the 17th Party Congress. Contemporary Politics, Vol.14 (No.2). pp. 215-231. ISSN 1356-9775

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13569770802176952

Abstract

The opaque nature of decision making in China has generated considerable interest in the internecine machinations of elite politics. Particularly, but not only, when it comes to
issues of leadership transition, considerations of factional formation and conflict come to the fore. This is partly to explain the transition process itself, but also out of concern for how new leaders might change the direction of Chinese policy. This paper suggests that
whilst leaders and leadership changes do matter, they matter less than they once did. This is partly a result of the de-ideologicization and increasing diverse nature of elite interests and group formation. But it is also partly a result of the changed nature of China’s political
economy; in short, there is less desire and less ability for new leaders to impose a clear paradigm shift.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

China -- Economic policy, China -- Politics and government, Leadership -- China

Journal or Publication Title:

Contemporary Politics

Publisher:

Routledge

ISSN:

1356-9775

Official Date:

June 2008

Dates:

Date	Event
June 2008	Published

Volume:

Vol.14

Number:

No.2

Page Range:

pp. 215-231

Identification Number:

10.1080/13569770802176952

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

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