Hidden Forces The Party Comes First: Power & Politics in Xi's China | Joseph Torigian
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Jun 23, 2025 
Joseph Torigian, an expert on the Chinese Communist Party and author of 'The Party’s Interests Come First', discusses the intricate dynamics of power within authoritarian regimes. He explores the historical influences of past leaders like Mao and Deng on Xi Jinping's governance and ambitions. Torigian reveals how Xi's familial ties shaped his political ideology and commitment to China's global prominence. The conversation also delves into the dilemmas of self-criticism in the party and important historical events, including the Tiananmen protests that continue to impact China's political climate.
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Long Rural Revolution Path
- The Chinese Communist revolution was a prolonged countryside struggle, unlike the Soviet cities' quick takeover.
- Mao emerged as the leader by uniting disparate bands to fight a protracted civil conflict.
Chaos Sparked Mao’s Strategy
- After Qing dynasty collapse, China faced chaos from internal strife and foreign encroachments.
- Mao’s answer was class struggle and organization into a disciplined force to unify and transform China.
Devotion Fueled Catastrophic Policies
- Mao’s Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution showed how unchallenged ideology caused disaster.
- Blind loyalty to Mao's vision led to famine and violence, as dissent was impossible under strict party control.
