This is a party absolutely determined to maintain a monopoly of power and absolutely determined to crush any attempt by any group to suggest that there ought to be anything like separation of powers. No labor unions. No civil society. No freedom of press. No judicial independence. The mere suggestion of it seems to be so offensive that people end up in jail and that’s a constant theme that runs throughout this entire period.

Frank Dikötter

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Order China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower by Frank Dikötter (Available in the UK now. Available in the US November 15th, 2022.)

A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.

Frank Dikötter is the author of three books about China under Mao called the People’s Trilogy. He is currently the Chair Professor of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong. His latest book is China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower.

Key Highlights

Introduction - 0:52Life in China After Mao - 3:06How much did China Reform After Mao - 13:20What do the Chinese People Want from Reform - 25:38Is Political Reform Necessary for Deeper Economic Reforms - 29:33Why is China's Reform Overstated - 36:18

Key Links

Learn more about Frank Dikötter at Wikipedia

The People's Trilogy by Frank Dikötter

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