Xi Jinping and the Paradox Of Power

Chinese dictator finds himself the target of criticism and unrest from all quarters

Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 28. Andy Wong/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

At the moment, Xi Jinping’s rule over China is as absolute as any ruler’s since perhaps Stalin wielded his iron grip over Russia and the Soviet Union. That’s no accident. Xi’s ascent to power has been marked by his enemies underestimating him, his cunning political skills, a readiness to bend or break the rules and a fearless brutality against whomever might stand in his way.

But how long will Xi be able to hold onto power?

The Ghost of Mao

Since taking power in 2012, Xi has taken every step possible to solidify his position as the supreme authority in China. One of his first actions was to dismantle the collective, consensus-based process for the succession of power so carefully put in place by Deng Xiaoping and his old school Party colleagues. Their intent for establishing a slow and conservative process to transfer power was to prevent a repeat of the disastrous decades China suffered through under the one-man rule of Chairman Mao Zedong.