I would argue that the CCP has largely traded an increased standard of living for the commoners for additional system stability for the elite. It's a small abs

I would argue that the CCP has largely traded an increased standard of living for the commoners for additional system stability for the elite. It's a small absolute cost to take someone from mud hut to concrete box, but the relative economic multiples for those in charge, multiplied by a few hundred million, are massive. It's also much harder to foment revolution when you've been lifted out of poverty in a generation (even if it's due!)