Reshaping the State
Chinese Political Institutions under Xi Jinping
Authored by: Wen-Hsuan TsaiPlease read Conditions of use before downloading the formats.
Description
‘Based on extensive fieldwork and impressive analytic skills, Wen-Hsuan Tsai has produced the most detailed and informative account of the evolving political system in Xi Jinping’s China that I have ever read. It is essential reading for everyone seeking to understand the management and deployment of political power in contemporary China. The book convincingly shows that even though Xi Jinping may have centralized power in his own hands, institutions still matter. Indeed, they are holding China together.’
—Kjeld Erik Brødsgaard, Copenhagen Business School
‘This engaging and thought-provoking academic work reflects the scholar’s dedication to enhancing our understanding of Chinese governance. It blends institutional resonance with leadership dynamics, addressing the knowledge gap in the West about the complexities of the Chinese Communist Party’s resilience and institutions. By examining the idiosyncrasies, risks and challenges of contemporary China—both a major global influence and the world’s second-largest economy—it encourages readers to reflect deeply on its governance and implications.’
—Hon S. Chan, City University of Hong Kong
‘As a leading scholar on China’s elite politics, Dr Wen-Hsuan Tsai reveals how Xi Jinping reshaped the party-state to achieve institutional centralization and made and implemented domestic and foreign policy as the supreme leader of China. This book opens the “black box” of Chinese leadership politics, policymaking and implementation. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain deep knowledge about political dynamics in contemporary China.’
—Suisheng Zhao, University of Denver
Format: Hardback
Details
- ISBN (print):
- 9781760467173
- ISBN (online):
- 9781760467180
- Publication date:
- Feb 2026
- Imprint:
- ANU Press
- DOI:
- http://doi.org/10.22459/RTS.2025
- Disciplines:
- Social Sciences: Politics & International Studies, Social Policy & Administration
- Countries:
- East Asia: China
PDF Chapters
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- Preliminary pages (PDF, 213 KB)
- List of illustrations (PDF, 71 KB)
- Abbreviations (PDF, 48 KB)
- Acknowledgements (PDF, 68 KB)
- Introduction: Institutional centralisation—Concept, categorisation and operation (PDF, 305 KB)
Part I. The Leadership System
- Integrated fragmentation and the role of leading small groups in Chinese politics (PDF, 572 KB) doi
- Reinforcing the power of China’s Commission for Discipline Inspection (PDF, 384 KB) doi
- Lifting the veil on the CCP’s personal secretary (mishu) system: Unrestricted informal politics within an authoritarian regime (PDF, 492 KB) doi
- The authority, functions and political intrigues of the General Office of the CCP Central Committee (PDF, 438 KB) doi
Part II. Cadre Management
- The political socialisation of cadres in party schools (PDF, 468 KB) doi
- The party’s Organisation Department and its ‘alarm’ function in the promotion of officials (PDF, 462 KB) doi
- Fast-track promotion: ‘Sprinting with small steps’ up the career ladder in Xi Jinping’s China (PDF, 250 KB) – with Chien-wen Kou doi
Part III. Reaching Out
- The united front model of ‘pairing-up’ in the Xi Jinping era (PDF, 452 KB) doi
- New developments in the Communist Youth League and youth work (PDF, 502 KB) doi
- Campaign-style enforcement: Incentivising cadres to implement the poverty alleviation policy (PDF, 560 KB) doi
Part IV. Tech Authoritarianism
- The big data bureau: China’s cloud governance and data dictatorship (PDF, 429 KB) – with Ruihua Lin and Hsin-Hsien Wang doi
- Urban management in authoritarian China: How the smart city enhances comprehensive law enforcement (PDF, 363 KB) – with Ruihua Lin and Hsin-Hsien Wang doi
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