In his provocative new book, Minxin Pei argues that China’s turn to reform was never intended to lead to democracy. In fact, Deng Xiaoping used economic reform as a strategic tool to preserve one-party rule. Pei examines how the institutional foundations of authoritarian control endured through decades of globalization. With the rise of Xi Jinping in 2012, he argues, the fragile internal balance of power collapsed, ushering in a new era of neo-totalitarianism. 
Join us as Pei discusses how this shift has revived restrictive practices that could set China back decades — politically, economically and geopolitically.
Speaker:

• Minxin Pei, Tom and Margot Pritzker ’72 Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow, Claremont McKenna College

Moderator:

• Victor Shih, Director, 21st Century China Center; Professor and Ho Miu Lam Chair in China and Pacific Relations, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

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This public lecture is organized by the 21st Century China Center (21CCC) at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. For more information about this and other 21CCC events, please visit china.ucsd.edu.