Yang Zhang @ProfYangZhang Twitter profile

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

What we just saw was the making of an All Xi's Men team, the breaking of decade-long rules, and the birth of an unlimited supreme leader. These are not entirely surprising, but Xi's grab of power is still beyond our expectation. He is now a truly modern emperor. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Xi will rule China for not one but at least two and likely three terms (15 years). He is "only" 69 year old: Mao ruled China until his death at 83 and Deng kept CMC Chair until 1989 when he was 85. So don't expect Xi to retire before 2037. Xi's power apex just started, today. 2/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

No successor. Xi is too "young" to pick up a successor. His ministers have no interest in suggesting one. Potential candidates dare not imply it. Xi's future successor is now a nobody (who is not even in the Central Committee this time). Succession may not be an issue in 2027. 3/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

The rule of age limit is gone, completely. All 67, Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, and Chen Quanguo retired, while Wang Huning stayed in PSC. Moreover, Wang Yi (69) and Zhang Youxia (72) will be in Politburo. Xi simply showcased his unlimited power by breaking the age limit rule. 4/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Premiership as we know is gone. WSJ was right to report Li Qiang as premier & I was wrong to suggest Wang Yang. This is unprecedented because of Li's lack of vice premiership or any central experience. Once Xi's chief of staff, Li will be his Chief Grand Secretary as premier. 5/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Li Qiang's premiership is not only unprecedented but also showcases to everyone that loyalty rather than popularity is the key for your promotion. The disaster of Shanghai Lockdown did not stop Li's elevation precisely because he followed Xi's order despite all criticism. 8/9

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Old factions are all gone while new factions are in the making. Factional identities are flexible & dynamic. As I said earlier, the Youth League faction ceased to function 7-8 years ago. After the full victory of Xi's men, however, they will soon divide and contend for power. 6/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Contentious politics is exciting for its eventfulness, newness, and creativity. This wave of multi-site protests in China is spontaneous, novel, and epic. It is still unfolding; its ending and consequences are uncertain. We may only offer a tentative analysis of its causes. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

To study Chinese politics, a pressing issue is knowing the emperor. What is emperor? How did emperorship work as an institution? How did he work with prime ministers, grand secretaries, and grand councilors? An empire perspective is indispensable. Here, I offer key readings. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Zhang Youxia's stay in Politburo is astonishing but has significant values for Xi. 1) Zhang is 72, even older than Li Zhanshu. 2) Zhang's stay makes Xi not the oldest Politburo member. 3) Zhang's and Xi's fathers were close comrades. 4) Zhang will be Xi's prince in PLA. 7/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Li Qiang's rich experience in running three rich provinces may be a good thing. However, his lack of vice premiership or any central working experience means that he has to rely upon Xi's authority to run the state council. Li will be a perfect technocrat for the emperor. 10/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Li Qiang's premierships also shows how Xi trained his close aide to this position. In the last decade, Li Qiang was governor of Zhejiang (2012) and party secretaries of Jiangsu (2016) and Shanghai (2017). In PRC history, Li is the only person who has ruled these three places. 9/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

As a sociologist studying elite politics in China, I am offering ten observations about the upcoming CCP Party Congress in October. I hope there is something that you are looking for. My prediction is pretty dark; however, you may find hopes if you read through this thread.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If Li Qiang and Ding Xuexiang indeed become premier and executive vice premier as WJS reported, they will both be Xi's technocrats, secretaries, & servants. These two top leaders of the State Council were Xi's chiefs of staff in Zhejiang and Shanghai & the Central Office. 11/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If Xi's two secretaries lead the State Council, this not only means the change of the Premiership but also the change of the nature of State Council. It will no longer be parallel with the Party, but simply one many institutions under the leadership of the Party, and of Xi. 12/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

The Central Secretariat will be more like the Grand Council (军机处), established by Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Empire. It was an inner decision-making organ and directly served the emperors. All other outer ministries or agencies simply implemented its orders. 14/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

We will likely see a stronger Central Secretariat (中央书记处) as Xi's coordinating institution to guide all other agencies, including State Council. In 1956-1966, Deng Xiaoping was Chairman Mao's General Secretary and coordinated other leaders including Premier Zhou Enlai. 13/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

My reading list for new China books during the winter break. The biography of Xi is lengthy, but it is the first serious, scholarly biography of this man (until 2018) in English. Unlike regular biographies, it applied some social science theories to make sense of Xi’s stories.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Another candidate to lead the Central Secretariat is Chongqing Secretary Chen Miner, who is younger (62) than Cai (67). Either being Cai or Chen, he will simply be Xi's Chief Servant in the Politburo and deliver Xi's orders to other agencies. We will see the result tonight. 16/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

The WJS report didn't say who would lead the Central Secretariat, but a strong candidate is the now Beijing Secretary Cai Qi. In 2014-17, Cai served as the deputy General Office chief of the National Security Commission, chaired by Xi. Cai simply returned to his old role. 15/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Observing China’s Party Congress needs some background knowledge. This thread will introduce a few essential readings. Let’s start with one, because we miss him, badly! President Jiang, your China has been changed :( 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

The city of Qingdao is probably the first municipal authority to publicly acknowledge that its current daily Covid-19 infection number is about half a million (not half a hundred). It is 5% of Qingdao’s population. I have full respect for this brave and candid official.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

The show will start in two hours. If you study Chinese politics but you don’t watch the Party Congress, it is just like you study American politics but you don’t watch the presidential debates/election. The Party Congress includes the ABC of Chinese politics.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

I came to the US to study sociology because I liked the works of Tilly (& Weber); the first book I bought in Chicago was Contentious Performance, Tilly's last book; my research engages with Tilly. But I never imagined to win an award under his name. I am honored & humbled by it!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Li Qiang is the new premier; Zhao Leji is NPC Chairman; Wang Huning is CPPCC chairman; Cai Qi will lead the Central Secretariat; Ding will be the executive Vice premier; Li Xi is Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection. WSJ is right. Cai Qi is the seventh. 17/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Let's continue: I must first say I don’t have any special information or sensational stories. My analysis is based on publicly available information. It might be wrong precisely because my information is as limited as yours. My tool is historical and theoretical knowledge.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Chen Jining and Li Ganjie's promotion seems like a victory for environment protection, because Chen chaired that ministry in 2015-17 & Li chaired in 2017-2020. Chen studied environmental science in Tsinghua & Imperial College London & is a renowned environmental scientist. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

More strikingly, new slogans, symbols, and tactics emerged out of this wave of protests. We saw solidarity of Han and minorities in Xinjiang, “Xi Jinping Step Down” in Shanghai, white paper in multiple campuses, and “freedom” & “democracy,” words disappearing for 30 years. 3/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

I began to accept media interviews this October and have been glad to work with many reporters and editors. I thank the opportunity to share my thoughts on elite politics based upon my knowledge in history and theory. This thread will update some latest reports that quoted me. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Finally, never forget contingency! This time it is the World Cup, which makes another dilemma for the Chinese state. People watch it and know how open and free outside of China; but if it is banned, more citizens will go to street. Either way, Football Fuels Fighters! 11/11

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

The underlying cause is more ironical (but not surprising to us): full centralized control leads to full responsibility and then national movement targeting at the center when expectations are not met. This is a Tocquevillian wisdom in his Old Regime and the French Revolution. 7/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Xi Jinping. Will Xi start the third term? Absolutely. Don’t believe Li Keqiang will replace Xi, or Xi will semi-retire like Jiang did in 2002, or the “China Coup” rumor. My coauthor and I predicted Xi’s power consolidation six years ago, see: . 1/10

Analysis | We looked at almost 100 leaders who tried Xi Jinping-style power grabs. Here’s how they...

What Xi Jinping gets from axing term limits, besides an increased chance of an unhappy ending.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Why were Chinese people able to mobilize in such a scale to protest against a regime that has turned more dictatorial recently? Why did Xi’s full control lead to full collapse? Why did China’s all-encompassing security and surveillance apparatus fail to prevent the protests? 4/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Revolutionary movements arise with immediate and underlying causes. The immediate cause is obvious this time: people are dissatisfied with the Zero Covid policy especially its stringent local implementation even after the Party Congress. There seems no exit, no end, & no hope. 5/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Glad and grateful to share the news that my article “why elites rebel” received the Charles Tilly Article Award from the Comparative-historical Sociology Section of American Sociological Association. I’d also be proud to say this article is indeed very Tillian!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

In the past weeks, we saw violent labor protests in Zhengzhou, contentions mourning the deaths in Urumqi, the spread of the mourning protests in other cities, the campus protest in Nanjing Media College and other universities, and massive online protests (& censoring). 2/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

I am cited in this story about Hu Chunhua, who was regarded as Xi's successor 10 years ago. Hu has no chance. He also has little chance to be premier. His PSC membership isn't secured. He may end with the worst position in the Politburo: NPC Vice Chair.

The Fate of This One-Time Xi Heir May Signal China’s Direction

In a parallel universe where Chinese President Xi Jinping hadn’t spent the past decade rewriting succession rules and sidelining rivals, Beijing might be counting down to the start of the Hu Chunhua...

www.bloomberg.com

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Third, social media effects: weibo, wechat & douyin played a key role in mobilization. China is tightly censored, but social media innovation & censorship became a game of recursive interactions this time. The “white paper” was an unexpected product in this endogenous process.10/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Then how did Chinese citizens mobilize in the absence of social movement organizations or networks? There are three mechanisms. First, in a mass society where intermediate organizations are absent, citizens can spontaneously & surprisingly self-mobilize if no other way out. 8/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Second, ecological mobilization. Just like the Tiananmen movement, ecology-based mobilization again played an vital role when formal organizations did not exist: Factory dormitory in Foxconn, neighborhood solidarity in Urumqi & Beijing, and campus ecology in 100 universities. 9/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Chinese Historian Qian Mu's Merits and Weakness of the Political System in Dynastic China (中国历代政治得失) remains the most insightful and important work on the changing nature of emperorship and its relationship with premiership over Chinese dynasties. Highly recommended. 2/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

This may be the onset of more protests in China, which is trapped in a dilemma due to its slow push for elder vaccination. Abrupt opening will cause massive deaths & then national lockdown; continuing Zero Covid is unsustainable. Dynamic zero-covid leads to dynamic unrests. 6/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang (rather than Wang Yang) becomes premier, then any power balance at the top ceases to exist. This would also make an unprecedented case, that a provincial official is directly promoted to be Premier without any central experience. Shocked!

Josh Chin

@joshchin

2 years

EXCLUSIVE: Xi is preparing to name loyalists to top positions in CCP hierarchy, people close to party leaders tell us. Shanghai’s embattled party boss is poised for a promotion.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

The next question that we have no answer yet: have political elites divided? Are there elite allies—even if tacitly—supporting protesters? Would Xi use this opportunity to purge his political rivals regardless of their attitudes? We may see the answers in the next few weeks.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Successor. Will Xi designate a successor? Very unlikely. Xi is 69 years old and will effectively rule China for another 10-15 years. For now, he does not need to appoint a successor, and nobody dares to propose one. His future successor is now a middle-rank official. 2/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

For the first time since 1997, there was not a single female member in the Politburo. Simply speechless! So sad and shocked!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Is there still any chance of elite resistance to Xi's "imperial" rule? I cannot predict, but I humbly recommend my article "Why Elites Rebel" in the American Journal of Sociology. It won the Charles Tilly Article Award in comparative history sociology. 8/

Why Elites Rebel: Elite Insurrections during the Taiping Civil War in China1 | American Journal of...

Insurrection of local elites in the early modern era is often regarded as the result of structural contradictions between the expanding state and elites or of preexisting cleavages among elites, but...

www.journals.uchicago.edu

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

In her masterpiece in 1951, Hannah Arendt insightfully connected European colonialism in Africa with totalitarianism later in Europe. W.E.B Dubois made a similar but visionary argument in 1915: imperial rivalry in Africa was a primary cause of the ongoing world war and horror.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Yuri Pines' The Everlasting Empire is the English counterpart of Qian Mu's book. Pines argues the seemingly unlimited power of emperor was in effect limited by his capacity and his associates. His ruling capacity declined when turning older. Just imagine Xi's 4th & 5th terms. 4/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

I had a nice conversation with @JNBPage @TheEconomist . This analysis includes my comments about China's succession or the lack thereof. After the otherwise fragile rule is undermined, there will be many possible scenarios of succession crisis. 1/

Xi Jinping has no interest in succession planning

The longer he clings to power, the harder it will be to engineer an orderly transition

www.economist.com

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

How would "age limit" matter in the upcoming CCP Party Congress? Would the “Seven up Eight down” rule (you stay in Politburo at 67 and you are out at 68) still work? We now know this rule was violated in 2017. In effect, “age limit” has never been institutionalized. A thread. 1/9

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

@zhongguoxin88 Depends upon how you like a lifelong dictator...

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Ray Huang's 1587: A Year of No Significance has fascinating stories and analysis about Ming Emperor Wanli and his troubled relationships with his Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng and other actors. So does Philip Kuhn's Soulstealers, a study of Qing Emperor Qianlong. 3/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Zero Covid Policy. Will China’s Zero Covid policy end after the Party Congress? Not immediately, because it would cause rapidly increasing infections and political insecurity. They may begin to loosen the control after the government transition in March 2023. 8/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

The next two months for China would be extremely difficult. It will be China’s “coldest” winter, just like the last winter for the US. The Spring Festival holiday will only make things more terrifying. Get booster vaccines for you and your parents as early as possible!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Many Chinese dynasties were built by Inner Asian (semi-)nomads. The conqueror-turned-emperors such as Genghis Khan had different identities and made unique contributions to the "Chinese" emperorship. @weictsai offers a nice summary; @YCtheHistorian 's study of Qing is great. 5/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Light in Darkness. Is there any hope for change? Yes, the post-Xi era may be an opportunity window, just like the post-Mao era: nobody can succeed Xi’s power; there may be an abrupt change without a designated successor, popular grievance may grow under Xi’s draconian rule. 10/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Unity and Disunity. If so, would everything be in “perfect” unity under Xi's rule? Absolutely no. The real struggle (among Xi’s men) just started, and it may turn very ugly. There wasn’t perfect unity under Mao or Deng; nor will there be such unity under Xi. 7/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

An “All Xi’s Men” PSC. Will there be an “all-Xi” PSC? Likely. If Li retired and Hu is not offered a seat, then all three incoming PSC members will be Xi’s men. The four candidates: Cai Qi (Beijing), Li Qiang (Shanghai), Chen Miner (Chongqing), Ding Xuexiang (Central Office). 6/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Elite and Popular Resistance. Will elites or people rebel? Elites are more likely to exit to resist—like East Germans before 1989. There have been popular protests against the Covid policy, but large-scale protests like the 1989 movement are unlikely to occur. 9/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

@pengshan1963 An intriguing question is the similarity and difference between Chinese and Roman emperors. It has enduring impact on institutional development in the East and West. Xing Yitian's essay offers a great comparison, while Millar's The Emperor in the Roman World remains a classic. 7/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Joseph Fewsmith’s 2021 book is a good introduction to Chinese elite politics since the death of Mao in 1976. His summary of the power reshuffle from the eleventh to nineteenth party congress is concise and clear. There are also some nice photos: do you remember the two guys? 4/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

The Youth League. Will Premier Li Keqiang remain in Politburo Standing Committee (PSC)? Would Vice Premier Hu Chunhua succeed Li’s premiership? It is unlikely that the two remaining Youth League members will both be in PSC; it is possible neither of them will be. 4/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Plus, Xi’s full control means his team will be fully responsible for any policy mistake. His autocracy may provoke stronger international pushback from the US-led Western countries. All of these scenarios will make his third and likely fourth terms not as easy as expected. 21/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Premier. Then who will become the next Premier? It is most likely to be the now CPPCC chairman Wang Yang, who was Vice Premier in 2013-2018. A very intelligent and personable figure, Wang was broadly beloved in the State Council. 5/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

How will Xi work with his premiers and central secretaries? To understand their relationship, we must know the nature of Grand Minister (宰相), Chief Grand Secretaries in Ming Empire (内阁首辅), and Grand Councilors in Qing Empire (军纪大臣). These three books are recommended. 7/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

RIP Jiang Zemin. It’s probably the time to revisit Kuhn’s biography, but this book is too simple and too positive. We need a comprehensive, scholarly, and balanced biography with sophisticated narrative about “the man who changed China.”

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Taiwanese historians have made great contributions to the study of Chinese emperorship. Xi Yitian's book discusses the origins of emperorship in Qin and Han empires. Gan Huaizhen's article asks: "Is Emperorship Despotic?" Special thanks to @pengshan1963 's suggestion. 6/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If you want more theoretical and comparative flavors on emperors, kings, courts & dynasties, try these four by political scientist Finer, historian Duindam, anthropologists Graeber & Sahlins, & sociologist Elias. They are superb books with historical and theoretical insights. 10/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Professor Wu Guoguang’s book is a scholarly study about China’s party congress. Professor Wu was an adviser to Zhao Ziyang in 1980s and has both insider knowledge and academic expertise. This is a must read. 2/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

This is why it’s so so so … much fun to teach the empire course! Next week, the Roman and Chinese empires in comparison 😊

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

To understand the significance of Li Qiang's possible premiership, a little history & theory about chairmanship & premiership is needed. Simply put, each pair of party leader and premier had different and even rival group affiliations since the downfall of Hua Guofeng in 1980. 1/

Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang (rather than Wang Yang) becomes premier, then any power balance at the top ceases to exist. This would also make an unprecedented case, that a provincial official is directly promoted to be Premier without any central experience. Shocked!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Holding the newspaper at hand, I am still curious about the sources of @FT ’s front-page headline. I know the importance to protect them, but it is not satisfying to cite “two people familiar with the matter” to report. Are they officials, scientists, doctors, or journalists?

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

As mentioned earlier, Cai Qi is a strong candidate for the Central Secretariat and he has indeed made it. Cai now returned to his old role to serve Xi in this decision-making organ. Cai was not popular as Party Secretary in Beijing, but again, loyalty trumped popularity. 18/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Our narrative could be subtler: this PSC does not mean that Xi will become an omnipotent supreme leader and can do anything. Above all, his unlimited power will be constrained by his limited capacity and decreasing energy as he turns older. Remember Mao or Emperor Qian Long? 20/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

In sum, we need an empire angel to analyze imperial ruleship and its challenges in China today. Empire is also a key to understanding the US & Russia. There are many good works about empire. You may find some in my "Empire: Past and Present" syllabus. 11/ .

Empire: Past and Present_Syllabus_22F

Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers.

www.academia.edu

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Xuezhi Guo’s 2019 book is a great study of the politics of core leaders in China. How many cores are there in party history? How is Xi similar with and different from Mao or Deng? Why was Xi able to become a stronger core than Jiang? This book offers insights and research. 5/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Age Limit. How will the rule of age limit work? It partially matters. “Age limit” has never been institutionalized; its criterion is constantly changing. Five years ago, three younger-than-67 Politburo members were out, while Wang Qishan became the Vice President at 70. 3/10

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

One key is the relationship between State Council (led by Li Qiang) and Central Secretariat (led by Cai Qi). The former manages economic and social affairs; the latter coordinates party and state agencies. This book studies Deng's role when he led the Secretariat in 1956-66. 9/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Teaching “Empire: Past and Present” for the sixth time, I still feel excited. Happy to share the updated syllabus: . It adds a few new readings, such as Clash of Empires: From ‘Chimerica’ to the ‘New Cold War’ by @hofunghung . Feedback is welcome!

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Many have referred Xi to Mao and worry about another Cultural Revolution. When did Mao become the paramount leader? The Seventh Party Congress in 1945. The Historian Gao Hua offered the best narrative on the rise of the sun. Will there be another book about the rise of Xi? 3/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

If you want a quick overview of the party congress, then read @lingli_vienna ’s op-ed in @Diplomat_APAC : how China’s Party Congress actually works. It is short but informative. 7/

How China’s Party Congress Actually Works

Unpacking the institution of the National Party Congress – its essential concepts and some common misunderstandings.

thediplomat.com

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Finally, we will hold two panels to discuss Chinese empire/emperorship and US-China imperial rivalry on @THiS_TheHisSoc in Nov. and Dec. Our all-star panelists include @hofunghung @ZhangTaisu @Xiaohong__Xu @YanLong_SOC @dmmccourt @ShuangChen10 @utopiamatcha , etc. Stay tuned! 12/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

Academic friends: Please follow @THiS_TheHisSoc . "THiS: Theory, History, Society" is a transnational, bilingual, & virtual platform for conversations in historical social sciences & social theory. We organize events on empire, state, political economy, social movements, etc. 1/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Such a delightful read! The only problem is which chapter to be assigned next year.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

As said one month ago, Hu Chunhua was not a successor any more. "He also has little chance to be premier. His PSC membership isn't secured. He may end with the worst position in the Politburo: NPC Vice Chair." Old assumptions about factionalism and succession must be dropped. 19/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

5 months

On the last day of SSHA, I have the privilege to chair this great panel with historian panelists @utopiamatcha @ShuangChen10 @YCtheHistorian and with Mark Elliott @Mark_C_Elliott being the discussant. Please join us if you are still at the conference.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

When many believed Louis Napoleon (Napoleon III) was another Napoleon, a wise man said: world-historical facts often appeared twice, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce. That man is Marx.

Yuen Yuen Ang

@yuenyuenang

2 years

It's tempting but misleading to equate Xi with Mao. They are superficially similar - "dresses like him, gestures like him" - but far from alike in substance. Mao thrives in chaos; Xi is a man of order and control.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

From a sociological perspective, the party congress contains rich information about rituals, rules, relationships, interactions, languages, and symbols. These are not simply performative; they deliver abundant substantive, procedural, and cultural message. 2/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

A portion of my Weber collections. Yes, Protestant Ethic and the two Vocation lectures are great and should be assigned to students, but to master Weber, we must read Economy and Society, Social Science Methodology, and esp. comparative religion, including the Religion of China.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

@valentinaruts Distance from Russia, as they already did. Continuous Pressure on Taiwan, but the likelihood of war is low.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Just received my copy. Interesting read and important lesson: don’t overreach, overact, or overstretch (Kennedy 1987).

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

My colleague @JosephTorigian ’s new book has an excellent study of the power struggle in the first few years of the post-Mao era. Hua Guofeng rose to top and then fell even before the 12th Party Congress in 1982. What happened to Mao’s designated successor? What did Deng do? 6/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

On Feb. 16, I will present part of my book manuscript--Empire and its Enemies: Ethnicity, Religion, and Rebellions in Mid-19th-Century China--at the University of Virginia. It is a story about the imperial state, Christians, and Muslims during the bloodiest civil war in history.

UVA East Asia Center

@Uva_EAC

1 year

Interested in learning about China's interactions with Muslim groups during Imperial China (and free food😋)? @ProfYangZhang is presenting at UVA on Feb 16th from 12-1:30pm at New Cabell Hall 236. Virtual attendance is also welcome:

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

My empire course ends with the current US-China imperial rivalry. Among many alternative explanations, (critical) political economy has offered us coherent (and perhaps too coherent) accounts: geoeconomic & geopolitical competitions lead to the clash of empires, past and present.

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

I was quoted in this story about Wang Yang, who "surprisingly" retired. For me, Wang Yang "demonstrated his flexibility, opportunism and competence" in different local and ministerial positions. Wang's leave signaled how strong Xi controlled the party. 2/

China’s man for all seasons Wang Yang stops short of premiership glory

Exclusion from Central Committee line-up means Wang Yang’s days on the political stage will end before he reaches retirement age.

www.scmp.com

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

My copy just arrived. Looking forward to reading this important book! @SeijiShirane

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

1 year

Just arrived at the beautiful campus of UVA and am excited about the presentation of my book manuscript tomorrow. It is an epic story of rebellion and repression of Chinese Muslims in the Northwestern and Southwestern ethnic frontiers of the Qing Empire.

UVA East Asia Center

@Uva_EAC

1 year

Lunch & presentation tomorrow 12-1:30 pm w/ @ProfYangZhang (in person & virtual)! He's presenting on the imperial state, Christians, and Muslims during the bloodiest civil war in history. @AynneKokas @UVASociology @GlobalUva

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

BBC quote: “Li Qiang will become the first official who is directly promoted from a province or municipality to be premier... Without his own established base of power and authority, Li will also have to rely on Xi's authority to lead the State Council."7/

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Yang Zhang

@ProfYangZhang

2 years

@yehansgq Don’t you think he is already doing a disaster with the Covid policy?

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