The Myth of Chinese Meritocracy

One enduring myth debunked by the fall Bo Xilai, the former Communist Party boss of Chongqing, is that the Party’s rule is based on meritocracy. Contrary to the prevailing Wetsern perception, China's government is riddled with clever apparatchiks like Bo who have acquired their positions through cheating, corruption, and patronage.

CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – Political scandals sometimes perform a valuable function in cleansing governments. They destroy the political careers of individuals of dubious character. More importantly, they can debunk political myths central to the legitimacy of some regimes.

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