Keen On America The Broken China Dream: How Reform Revived Totalitarianism
Dec 3, 2025
Minxin Pei, a prominent China scholar and professor at Claremont, dives into the complexities of China's broken dream in this engaging discussion. He critiques the reforms of Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping, highlighting how they have revived totalitarianism despite some economic achievements. Pei contrasts materialism with the lack of political freedoms, warns of growing inequality, and examines China's mobilization advantages as a one-party state. He also explores the pitfalls of superpower ambition and forecasts the challenges Xi faces in 2026.
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Shanghai Then And Now
- Minxin Pei recalls Shanghai's dramatic transformation since he left China in 1985.
- He notes per capita income still lags the U.S., so the material China dream is only partially realized.
Reform Preserved The Party, Not Freedom
- Deng Xiaoping's economic-only reforms preserved one-party rule and core totalitarian institutions.
- Pei argues those preserved institutions enabled Xi to later revive strong totalitarian control.
Look Abroad To Rebuild Capacity
- The U.S. should study and learn from other countries' infrastructure and clean energy successes.
- Minxin Pei advises the U.S. to open its eyes and avoid complacency to rebuild capabilities.
