Following the Leader: Ruling China, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping Author: Visit Amazon's David M. Lampton Page | Language: English | ISBN:
0520281217 | Format: PDF
Following the Leader: Ruling China, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping Description
Review
"Provides an exceptional explanation of the astounding changes that China has experienced, especially since the late 1970s, and offers a sober assessment of the challenges the nation currently faces. . . . This important work on understanding contemporary China is essential for all China watchers. Its concise and lucid treatment of the topic will serve as valuable reading to experts and novices alike."
(Joshua Wallace
Library Journal 2014-03-15)
From the Inside Flap
“This book is a gift for those seeking to understand in all of its complexities the preeminent issue of our times—the rise of China and the implications for the rest of us. With data-rich analysis, it captures the sweeping political, economic, and social changes of China’s last forty years and, without being alarmist, delineates persuasively the things that both we and the Chinese should genuinely worry about. It is an important guide to both scholars and policy makers.”
John McLaughlin, Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence at Johns Hopkins University and former deputy director of the CIA
“The best book on contemporary China today, Following the Leader is a true insider’s account of how the Chinese think about the world and how the world should think about China. A compelling and engaging read for first-time China travelers, seasoned China watchers, and anyone else interested in understanding the emergence of this global power.”
Elizabeth C. Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
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- Hardcover: 312 pages
- Publisher: University of California Press (February 3, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0520281217
- ISBN-13: 978-0520281219
- Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Chinese society has changed so fundamentally since 1977 that author Lampton believes the preconditions for re-establishing tyranny such as that under Mao no longer exist. His book is the culmination of 558 interviews conducted over a 40+ year period and follows the style of its leaders from Deng forward, with occasional comparisons with Mao. Overall, he sees a change over the years from a tyrannical style (Mao) to transformational (Deng), to today's technically-skilled leadership styles.
One of Deng's first changes was to define his era as one of 'Peace and Development' and 'learning from others - stark contrasts with Mao's self-proclaimed 'War and Revolution' and 'self-reliance.' Deng was fortune that China no longer faced threats from the U.S. and the Soviets that it had during the 1960s - hence, capitalizing on his strong standing within the military via prior military leadership while combatting the Japanese Occupation, Deng was able to minimize military expenditures, calm potential fears in other nations, and reinvest the savings. Deng saw the importance of motivation via material rewards and emphasized experimentation without ideological constraints, though he sometimes had to tip-toe carefully among Mao's former comrades in doing so. Mao, on the other hand emphasized universal adherence to ideological proclamations - through coercion. Deng thought in terms of progress/capita that would be most meaningful to China's citizens, Mao pursued international strength through rising population numbers. Deng's vision led directly to China's one-child policy. Deng awarded government positions and promotions according to training and prior results, Mao relied on political reliability and seniority.
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