Sixth Annual John H. Holdridge Memorial Lecture

Reception followed by lecture

Cosponsored by
The Sigur Center for Asian Studies
The Elliott School of International Affairs
The George Washington University

Speaker
Minxin Pei
Senior Associate and Director, China Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Topic

China's Trapped Transition: The Limits of Developmental Autocracy

The rise of China as a great power is one of the most important developments in the 21st century, but despite dramatic economic progress, China's prospects remain uncertain. Minxin Pei examines the sustainability of the Chinese Communist Party's reform strategy-pursuing pro-market economic policies under one-party rule. Pei casts doubt on three central explanations for why China's strategy works: sustained economic development will lead to political liberalization and democratization; gradualist economic transition is a strategy superior to the "shock therapy" prescribed for the former Soviet Union; and a neo-authoritarian developmental state is essential to economic take-off. Pei argues that because the Communist Party must retain significant economic control to ensure its political survival, gradualism ultimately will fail. The lack of democratic reforms in China has led to pervasive corruption and a breakdown in political accountability. What has emerged is a decentralized predatory state in which local party bosses have effectively privatized the state's authority. Collusive corruption is widespread and governance is deteriorating. Instead of evolving toward a full market economy, China is trapped in partial economic and political reforms.

 

Minxin Pei is a senior associate and director of the China Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Pei received his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University and taught politics at Princeton University from 1992 to 1998. His main interests are U.S.-China relations, the development of democratic political systems, and Chinese politics. He is the author of From Reform to Revolution: The Demise of Communism in China and the Soviet Union (Harvard University Press, 1994) and China's Trapped Transition: The Limits of Developmental Autocracy (Harvard University Press, 2006). Pei's research has been published in Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The National Interest, Modern China, China Quarterly, Journal of Democracy and many edited books. His op-eds have appeared in the Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and other major newspapers. For more click here:

This is an annual lecture established to commemorate the contributions of former MCBC board member Ambassador John H. Holdridge to the development of constructive diplomatic and business relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China.

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Price & Payment:

Early Bird Price (paid by March 20, 2007): $20 Members $35 Non-members Regular Price (after March 20, 2007): $25 Members $40 Non-Members Payment in advance and by March 20 is required for Early Bird Registrations. No shows will be billed at the regular price. Cancel by March 20 for refund.

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