Skip to main content
Access provided by

Curated by Project Syndicate

China's Scandalous Politics

8 commentaries

Two months ago, the Chinese Communist Party purged Bo Xilai, a rising political star. The Bo affair has exposed widespread corruption and deepened fissures within the country's famously unified leadership. What do such scandals reveal about China's governance? How will they affect its upcoming leadership transition?

Sort by: Show:
  1. China’s Show Trial of the Century
    ma9_Feng LiGetty Images_gu kailai Feng Li/Getty Images

    China’s Show Trial of the Century

    Aug 20, 2012 Ma Jian sees the Bo Xilai/Gu Kailai affair as evidence of a fractured Chinese leadership.

  2. China’s Political Storm
    91e6620446f86f380e309b28_ms3805c.jpg Margaret Scott

    China’s Political Storm

    May 30, 2012 Brahma Chellaney

  3. The Paradox of China’s Reform
    pa3963c.jpg Paul Lachine

    The Paradox of China’s Reform

    May 18, 2012 Jamie Metzl

  4. The Myth of Chinese Meritocracy
    e200420346f86f1007287703_pa3575c.jpg Paul Lachine

    The Myth of Chinese Meritocracy

    May 14, 2012 Minxin Pei

  5. Chinese Shadows
    cda67f0346f86f900c795f0c_m4688c.jpg Barrie Maguire

    Chinese Shadows

    May 4, 2012 Ian Buruma

  6. Corrupt and Unequal
    2fe3180246f86f6c0d039800_jo4000c.jpg

    Corrupt and Unequal

    Apr 30, 2012 Andrew Billo

Our Pick

Featured

  1. nixonsaintil4_Anya BerkutGettyImages_ai_learning Anya Berkut/Getty Images
    0

    Closing the AI Skills Gap in 2025

    Justina Nixon-Saintil explains what can be done to equip the workforce for an era of rapid technological change.
  2. ochieng2_Li YahuiXinhua via Getty Images_chinaafricahealth Li Yahui/Xinhua via Getty Images
    0

    Investing in Global Health Enhances US National Security

    Walter O. Ochieng & Tom Achoki urge the incoming Trump administration to build on the success of Operation Warp Speed.
  3. norrlof8_DELIL SOULEIMANAFP via Getty Images_USsyria Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    The Scramble for Syria

    Carla Norrlöf

    The United States and its allies have a unique opportunity to help Syria finally move away from foreign-sponsored proxy wars and toward a more balanced regional alignment. Engagement with Syria's new leadership offers leverage, whereas confrontation will merely perpetuate the old cycle of bloodshed.

     explains how America and its allies should respond to the demise of the country's longstanding dictatorship.
  4. slee1_ANTHONY WALLACEAFP via Getty Images_seoulapartments Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    The Bank of Korea Moves Beyond Monetary Policy

    Soohyung Lee highlights the efforts of central bankers to address structural challenges such as skyrocketing housing costs.
  5. Blackdovfx/Getty Images
    0

    The AI Revolution Is at Home in Africa

    Cina Lawson explains how developing economies can use emerging technologies to improve a wide range of public services.
  6. sirleaf10_ SIMON MAINAAFP via Getty Images_Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Three Cheers for Namibia’s First Female President

    Ellen Johnson Sirleaf explains why Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s electoral victory is a defining moment for women’s leadership in Africa.
  7. ito42_Jeff GritchenMediaNews GroupOrange County Register via Getty Image_USshipping Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Image
    0

    Trump’s Tariffs Will Backfire

    Takatoshi Ito warns that the US president-elect's plans will increase America's trade deficit and alienate its allies.
  8. haldar40_PoolGettyImages_trump_ny_trial Pool/Getty Images
    0

    Trump’s Victory Over the Rule of Law

    Antara Haldar considers whether a defining component of American democracy has been lost for good.
  9. kupchan15_RAMI AL SAYEDAFP via Getty Images_syria Rami al-Sayed AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Rebuilding Syria After Assad

    Charles A. Kupchan & Sinan Ülgen say that Syrians themselves must do the hard work, but multilateral assistance has an important role to play.

Edit Newsletter Preferences

Set up Notification

To receive email updates regarding this {entity_type}, please enter your email below.

If you are not already registered, this will create a PS account for you. You should receive an activation email shortly.