5 ms·

Xi does not want power for himself. Xi wants power to remain in the hands of the party and CPC is laying the foundation of governance model for a robust state i

Xi does not want power for himself. Xi wants power to remain in the hands of the party and CPC is laying the foundation of governance model for a robust state in the 21st century that also (TBD) does not inhibit economic and technological development. It is reasonable to argue against that goal (statist socialism) but imho superficial to frame this as yet another power grab by an individual. He is simply the tip of a consensus block in CPC. Historically, Xi represents the ‘adjustment of CPC to global conditions while maintaining continuity of the party’ post Nixon era re-engagement and re-evaluations.

philliphaydon 5y ago
If Xi did not want power for himself he would not have removed the two-term limit to keep himself in power for life.
- ethbr0 5y ago
  Because Communist countries tend to have very messy transfers of power, if not through continuity or annointment of a new leader by the old? And by messy I mean armed forces involvement and/or bodies in the streets.
  - jollybean 5y ago
    China has had a decent track record, they are well organized. If Xi truly believed in China, then he would make it a priority to facilitate a smooth transition of power, and to enable the leader after their ascension. I really don't think this is much of an excuse for him. The story is really simple - CCP wants to forbid any private control of information, that's it. It's not a new concept.
    - ethbr0 5y ago
      The Deng -> Zhao -> Jiang -> Hu years weren't very clean, and did have military involvement and civilian deaths.
- plantain_00 5y ago
  General Secretary of the CCP(no term limit) is the top leader, The president of the PRC is the ceremonial head of state of the PRC, So the president's two-term limit removed in 2018 is not important, just like the Queen of England(ceremonial head of state) has not term limit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_People%27s_Re...
jollybean 5y ago
You're right, I should have merely indicated the leader, not the individual, that's fair. It's unlikely that anyone really knows what Xi wants. The narrative that 'he just wants what's best for China' plays directly into his potential megalomania, at the same time, I don't doubt that there is some truth to this as well. Nations can benefit from long-lived leaders. That said, the whole thing does not look good. Actions further suppressing the spread of basic information are not going to be good for China in the long run. And Xi probably is just another kind of dictator, we have a very long run of world history that gives us innumerable examples. One thing he could have done when extending his term limits, was signal when he would leave, and making sure that the 'new rules' are just and equitable with respect to future leaders.
- cutemonster 5y ago
  > what Xi wants Highest priority: to stay in power. That China is his (he get to be the dictator) for all of his life. Possibly thereafter: Make China stronger, economically, military, land area. Destroying independent press damages and weakens China, but that's ok because a strong China is only 2nd priority for Xi (and his closest men I suppose).

philliphaydon 5y ago

If Xi did not want power for himself he would not have removed the two-term limit to keep himself in power for life.

ethbr0 5y ago
Because Communist countries tend to have very messy transfers of power, if not through continuity or annointment of a new leader by the old? And by messy I mean armed forces involvement and/or bodies in the streets.
- jollybean 5y ago
  China has had a decent track record, they are well organized. If Xi truly believed in China, then he would make it a priority to facilitate a smooth transition of power, and to enable the leader after their ascension. I really don't think this is much of an excuse for him. The story is really simple - CCP wants to forbid any private control of information, that's it. It's not a new concept.
  - ethbr0 5y ago
    The Deng -> Zhao -> Jiang -> Hu years weren't very clean, and did have military involvement and civilian deaths.
plantain_00 5y ago
General Secretary of the CCP(no term limit) is the top leader, The president of the PRC is the ceremonial head of state of the PRC, So the president's two-term limit removed in 2018 is not important, just like the Queen of England(ceremonial head of state) has not term limit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_People%27s_Re...

jollybean 5y ago

You're right, I should have merely indicated the leader, not the individual, that's fair. It's unlikely that anyone really knows what Xi wants. The narrative that 'he just wants what's best for China' plays directly into his potential megalomania, at the same time, I don't doubt that there is some truth to this as well. Nations can benefit from long-lived leaders. That said, the whole thing does not look good. Actions further suppressing the spread of basic information are not going to be good for China in the long run. And Xi probably is just another kind of dictator, we have a very long run of world history that gives us innumerable examples. One thing he could have done when extending his term limits, was signal when he would leave, and making sure that the 'new rules' are just and equitable with respect to future leaders.

cutemonster 5y ago
> what Xi wants Highest priority: to stay in power. That China is his (he get to be the dictator) for all of his life. Possibly thereafter: Make China stronger, economically, military, land area. Destroying independent press damages and weakens China, but that's ok because a strong China is only 2nd priority for Xi (and his closest men I suppose).