Factionalism in Chinese Communist Politics

In this book, first published in 2000, Jing Huang examines factionalism's role in leadership relations and policy-making in Chinese communist politics.

Jing Huang (Author)

9780521622844, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 July 2000

480 pages, 15 b/w illus. 15 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.87 kg

'Huang's level of detail and ability to investigate 'sensitive' issues is unrivalled; … there is no denying the richness of evidence that this volume presents. It is a star example of the ability that now exists for 'normalizing' CCP political history through knowledge and refinement of interpretation. Jing Huang's book not only presents us with a new way of looking at conflicts within Chinese Communism, but also, and perhaps more importantly, shows younger scholars how the patient attention to facts may crack what may once seemed the most impenetrable of historical vaults.' Journal of Cold War History

Factionalism is widely understood to be a distinguishing characteristic of Chinese politics. In this book, first published in 2000, Jing Huang examines the role of factionalism in leadership relations and policy-making. His detailed knowledge of intra-party politics offers an alternative understanding of still-disputed struggles behind the high walls of leadership in Zhongnanhai. Huang traces the development of factional politics from its roots in the 'mountaintops' and the enduring impact of the personal bonds formed between Mao and his supporters at the Yan'an Round Table. Critiquing the predominant theories on leadership and decision-making, he explains that it is not power struggles that give rise to factionalism, but rather the existence of 'factionalism that turns power into an overriding goal in CCP politics'. Huang explains why policy outcomes switched constantly between 'Left-adventurism' and 'Right-conservatism' under Mao's reign and between 'emancipation of mind' and 'socialist spiritual civilization' in the Deng era.

List of figures and tables
Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. Factionalism, the puzzle of Chinese communist politics
2. Factionalism and the political system in China
3. The establishment of the Yan'an round table
4. The transition of the Yan'an round table
5. Crises in leadership relations with the two-front arrangement
6. The collapse of the Yan'an round table and the unleashing of factionalism
7. Deng Xiaoping's dominance: factionalism prevails over the party spirit
8. Conclusion
Selected bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP]