The desire for the 'core' leader has been imbedded in the ruling philosophy of the Chinese Communist Party. As the role of the 'core' leader and his interactions with other ruling elite are important in understanding Chinese politics, this book attempts to focus on the role of the party chief and how he could become the 'core' of the leadership. Xuezhi Guo provides the most detailed and comprehensive scrutiny of the 'core' of the Chinese Communist Party leadership and meticulously analyses the cultural, philosophical, and ideological origins as well as its evolution throughout the party's history. This study introduces an eclectic approach that integrates the most useful analytical perspectives and insights from Chinese political history, philosophy, and mainstream Western methodologies in order to explain the consistent patterns of elite politics and the behavior of the party's high-ranking leaders during times of cooperation and conflict from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping.

This is the first full-length scholarly study of the Chinese 'core' leader and his role in the Chinese Communist Party's elite politics.

About the Author
Xuezhi Guo is a Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Guilford College, North Carolina. He is the author of The Ideal Chinese Political Leader: A Historical and Cultural Perspective (2001) and China's Security State: Philosophy, Evolution, and Politics (Cambridge, 2012).

Reviews
'This insightful and incisive volume by Xuezhi Guo (Guilford College) seeks to examine the role of the Chinese Communist Party's chief, the mechanism in regulating the interaction between the 'core' leader and the rest of the party elite, dynamics of the changes, and the potential implications.' S. K. Ma, Choice
'Xuezhi Guo's new book is an exceptionally valuable addition to the literature on elite politics in China. It presents readers with an insightful analysis of political leadership by way of an eclectic approach that represents the best of theoretically informed area studies research. Guo's study is engaging, dispassionate, and convincing ... Xuezhi Guo's meticulous and thought-provoking work remains a key reference for years to come.' Robert Dayley, Pacific Affairs
'... the book is particularly useful for scholars, students and professionals who are interested in who's who and their factional affiliation in Chinese politics.' Chi Zhang, Democratization



Book Information
ISBN 9781108727563
Author Xuezhi Guo
Format Paperback
Page Count 437
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 672g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 152mm * 26mm