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, China is undergoing deep disruptions. But certain things won't change: crony capitalism.
How does crony capitalism REALLY work in China?
, China is undergoing deep disruptions. But certain things won't change: crony capitalism. How does crony capitalism REALLY work in China?
One popular opinion: 
has “a rapacious form of crony capitalism,” marked by “looting, debauchery, and utter lawlessness.” Scandals reveal 
details.
But if
why has China's economy boomed?
"Soon it will collapse" is an assertion, not an answer https://bit.ly/3jVd6gn
has “a rapacious form of crony capitalism,” marked by “looting, debauchery, and utter lawlessness.” Scandals reveal details. But if
why has China's economy boomed? "Soon it will collapse" is an assertion, not an answer https://bit.ly/3jVd6gn
An opposite popular opinion: China has a Confucian meritocracy that selects officials by “ability and virtue”
So what is China?
Endemically corrupt OR meritocratic? https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691166452/the-china-model
So what is China?
Endemically corrupt OR meritocratic? https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691166452/the-china-model
The answer is BOTH
China is a corrupt meritocracy
PDF: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/yy-ang/wp-content/uploads/sites/427/2020/04/PS-Chinas-corrupt-meritocracy.pdf https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-corrupt-meritocracy-by-yuen-yuen-ang-2019-10?barrier=accesspaylog
China is a corrupt meritocracy
PDF: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/yy-ang/wp-content/uploads/sites/427/2020/04/PS-Chinas-corrupt-meritocracy.pdf https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-corrupt-meritocracy-by-yuen-yuen-ang-2019-10?barrier=accesspaylog
CH5 of China's Gilded Age reveals the profiles of corrupt AND competent officials.
In reality, many corrupt Chinese officials were once political stars, famed for their ability to deliver results, who were genuinely appreciated by local residents.
In reality, many corrupt Chinese officials were once political stars, famed for their ability to deliver results, who were genuinely appreciated by local residents.
Take Ji Jianye, former Nanjing mayor, now in jail 
for corruption
BEFORE he fell, Chinese media touted his accomplishments
AFTER he fell, however, media discourse turned
sharply toward his corruption
Relying on media scandals is therefore misleading
for corruption BEFORE he fell, Chinese media touted his accomplishments
AFTER he fell, however, media discourse turned
sharply toward his corruption
Relying on media scandals is therefore misleading
Profiles of corrupt & competent officials yield 
insights into how crony capitalism REALLY works in China
Chinese politicians are corrupt, but many also promote economic growth & even deliver social welfare.
insights into how crony capitalism REALLY works in China Chinese politicians are corrupt, but many also promote economic growth & even deliver social welfare.
the more Chinese politicians promote 
themore rents they can generate for their clients and themselves. This constitutes a system of elite profit-sharing.
Cronyism is not just for personal enrichment but also helps ambitious politicians get things done.Think of it as Chinese version of American campaign finance https://www.lawfareblog.com/lawfare-podcast-how-corruption-works-china
Chinese crony capitalism is competitiveCapitalists do not want to hitch their fates to "loser" politicians
Nor do ambitious politicians want to pick incompetent cronies
In short, while it's tempting to argue that China is either this BAD extreme or this GOOD extreme
It's neither.
China's political system is both corrupt and meritocratic
It's neither.
China's political system is both corrupt and meritocratic
Review in @TheEconomist of China's Gilded Age
An Era of Paradoxes
- Feverish growth and glaring inequality
- Corrupt and competent officials
- Politically centralized and economically decentralized https://www.economist.com/china/2020/06/25/to-chinas-rulers-the-cupidity-of-officials-is-a-political-crisis
An Era of Paradoxes
- Feverish growth and glaring inequality
- Corrupt and competent officials
- Politically centralized and economically decentralized https://www.economist.com/china/2020/06/25/to-chinas-rulers-the-cupidity-of-officials-is-a-political-crisis
