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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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
Date:	June 2008
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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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/286

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