ChinaTalk How Corruption Works in China
Jul 10, 2020
Yuan Yuan Ang, a Professor at the University of Michigan and author of "China's Gilded Age," dives deep into the intriguing nexus of corruption and governance in China. She explains how rapid economic growth coexists with corruption, contrasting 'access money' at higher bureaucracy levels with 'speed money' below. The conversation touches on the evolution of corruption since Deng Xiaoping's reforms, the unique challenges women face in politics, and draws parallels between China’s current state and America's historical Gilded Age.
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Access Money vs. Speed Money
- Speed money is like a tax, paid to overcome obstacles, while access money is an investment for future returns.
- Access money, though potentially harmful, incentivizes growth, unlike petty or grand theft.
Russia vs. China
- Gorbachev's reforms in Russia led to grand theft, while China's reforms favored access money.
- This difference highlights the importance of understanding specific corruption dynamics within different countries.
Deng's Role
- Deng Xiaoping ensured the CCP remained central while incentivizing officials to benefit from capitalist reforms.
- This approach differed from Gorbachev's, promoting a more controlled transition and setting the stage for access money.
