China's Communist Party: Atrophy and Adaptation

by David Shambaugh

Few issues affect the future of China―and hence all the nations that interact with China―more than the nature of its ruling party and government. In this timely study, David Shambaugh assesses the strengths and weaknesses, durability, adaptability, and potential longevity of China's Communist Party (CCP). He argues that although the CCP has been in a protracted state of atrophy, it has undertaken a number of adaptive measures aimed at reinventing itself and strengthening its rule. Shambaugh's investigation draws on a unique set of inner-Party documents and interviews, and he finds that China's Communist Party is resilient and will continue to retain its grip on power.

Woodrow Wilson Center Press

Genres: China, Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, Asia

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2008

About the author

David Leigh Shambaugh is an American political scientist, Sinologist and policy advisor. He currently serves as the Gaston Sigur Professor of Asian Studies, Political Science, and International Affairs at George Washington University, where he is also the director of the China Policy Program at GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs. He is also a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution (2024—). He was previously a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Shambaugh served in the Department of State, and on the White House National Security Council staff during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. As an author, Shambaugh has authored 12 and edited 21 books, and over 200 scholarly articles and newspaper op-eds. (Source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably no one should read this book, unless they're me. Extremely dense and academic, Shambaugh puts in no effort whatsoever to make his latest monograph accessible to a wider audience. There's no attempt at a compelling narrative, no easy flowing prose, and no reason for anyone other than the most dedicated China watchers to pick up the book. Even I was bored at times. Overall it was extraordinarily well researched and extremely informative, and I'm glad I read it. But it sets a new standard for dry dry dry dry.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. It requires a baseline of understanding about the PRC and its institutions to get though. Understandably it is very dry and academic, this isn't pop history or anything for the mass audience. Additionally, it is important to note that this is historically dated already. The author's opinions and predictions regarding China go off of how Hu Jintao was running it, not how Xi Jinping is running it today.

The book mostly goes over the predictions for China in the future, China's analysis of the collapse of the Soviet Union and other foreign states (Singapore in particular), the CCP's various attempts at remaining relevant in a changing world, and finally how the author feels China will proceed from where it stood when he wrote it.

Good for thought but as stated before, exceptionally dry.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and an analytical read

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at what reforms the CCP may try to institute and the reasoning behind the reforms.

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense but interesting read.