China's Totalitarian Institutions Prove Resilient Amid Economic Growth

Despite decades of economic reform, China's totalitarian institutions have shown remarkable resilience, surviving and reasserting themselves under President Xi Jinping.

China's totalitarian institutions have defied expectations by remaining resilient despite decades of economic growth. The conventional wisdom held that economic growth would lead to a more open and liberal society, similar to the outcomes in South Korea and Taiwan. However, China's institutions have proven to be more durable than anticipated. ## The Resilience of Totalitarian Institutions The notion that economic growth would lead to a more open and liberal society in China was based on the experiences of other East Asian countries. South Korea and Taiwan, for instance, underwent significant economic growth and transitioned from authoritarian regimes to more democratic systems. However, China's totalitarian institutions have shown remarkable resilience, surviving decades of reform and reasserting themselves under President Xi Jinping. ## The Role of Institutional Genes According to Chenggang Xu, a scholar who has studied China's institutions, the key to understanding the resilience of totalitarian institutions lies in their institutional genes. These genes determine the fundamental characteristics of an institution, shaping its behavior and response to changing circumstances. In the case of China, the institutional genes have allowed the totalitarian institutions to adapt and survive despite the country's rapid economic growth. ## The Implications for US-China Relations The resilience of China's totalitarian institutions has significant implications for US-China relations. The Thucydides Trap, a concept that describes the dynamics of rising and established powers, has been invoked by President Xi Jinping to frame China's rivalry with the United States. However, the reality on the ground suggests that China's institutions are more durable than anticipated, making conflict increasingly difficult to avoid. The West's assumption that economic growth would lead to a more open and liberal society in China has been proven wrong. China's totalitarian institutions have shown remarkable resilience, surviving decades of reform and reasserting themselves under President Xi Jinping. The implications of this development are significant, particularly in the context of US-China relations. As the rivalry between the two powers continues to escalate, understanding the dynamics of China's institutions is crucial for navigating the complex landscape of international relations.

Source: Project Syndicate