Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has close to 100 million members. Its organizational structure is analogous to the famous “Keiretsu,” or corporate conglomerates, of large Japanese firms, making it distinct from other electoral polities. This ideological similarity serves to insulate Xi from extra-party criticism. It gives him the freedom to escalate the current US-China tariff war without triggering a swift counter reaction from Americans’ heightened anti-Chinese public sentiment or the market.
In his recently published book, Professor Suzuki of Japan’s Daito Bunka University delves into the intricacies of the CCP’s ruling framework. Sure, he points out a lot about how the party is like a corporate structure. Both are designed to operate with little public scrutiny. Such structure gives Xi the leash to pursue combative trade tactics. In China he faces no market pressures or public outcry if he imposes high tariffs against the U.S.
Xi Jinping’s leadership style starkly contrasts with that of U.S. President Donald Trump, who must navigate the complexities of market and public opinion. Trump’s decisions are often influenced by economic indicators and voter feedback, whereas Xi’s authority is derived from his control over the CCP, permitting him to act unilaterally in matters like the tariff dispute.
Suzuki’s examination of the CCP sheds light on this organization’s notable role in global politics. The method by which the party is structured and how they operate creates an arena that doesn’t allow for dissent and discussion. This provides Xi the space to double down on his policies and strategies. He is governing without concern for retribution from the party or outside forces.
Despite this, their extreme membership numbers has given the CCP a strong support base, but it has led them into isolation from criticism. Suzuki’s analysis identifies a few important and underlying dynamics that one must consider to comprehend how the CCP remains in power. This insight is particularly timely given that the CCP faces increasingly fraught international economic conflicts.