The Culture of Leadership in Contemporary China

Conflict, Values, and Perspectives for a New Generation

Paul Michael Linehan

The resurgence of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in the context of Chinese leadership values has emerged as a foundation for a new generation of leaders. The once-in-a-decade transition of China’s leadership witnessed the ascendency of a consensus-oriented fifth generation of leaders supporting a central authoritative figure whose priority will likely include the reconciliation of a waning communist ideology juxtaposed with its ostensible embrace of capitalism. How will Chinese Communist Party authority, ideology, and control address the encroachment of Western values that are centered on Roman law, Greek philosophy, and Christian religion which prioritizes individual freedom and democracy?

This book examines the role of traditional Chinese values, ideology, and philosophy as a key determinant in modern China’s leadership succession. The author asserts that, as communist ideology wanes, Chinese leaders will turn to their own traditional values found in Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism to establish legitimacy to rule as they seek to promote Chinese prominence and greatness in the world.

The author’s research assesses China’s promotion of its own traditional values in rejecting foreign value influence. Since the inception of modern China at the beginning of the 20th century, China’s leadership transition has evolved from an authoritarian, cult-like dictatorship to a consensus-oriented process. In researching this metamorphosis, this book offers social, political, cultural, and historical perspectives to demonstrate that Chinese human values and character factors have risen in prominence as key elements in the mandate of Chinese governance and leadership.

The author concludes that Chinese leadership values and its study and diffusion across sectors of Chinese leadership—including business, organizations, and government—have become a means to accentuate Chinese values as a viable alternative to Western claims of absolute and universally accepted values.

Lexington Books

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6½ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-5727-6 • Hardback • December 2017 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4985-5729-0 • Paperback • February 2020 • $47.99 • (£37.00)

978-1-4985-5728-3 • eBook • December 2017 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, History / Asia / China

The Culture of Leadership in Contemporary China

Conflict, Values, and Perspectives for a New Generation

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The resurgence of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in the context of Chinese leadership values has emerged as a foundation for a new generation of leaders. The once-in-a-decade transition of China’s leadership witnessed the ascendency of a consensus-oriented fifth generation of leaders supporting a central authoritative figure whose priority will likely include the reconciliation of a waning communist ideology juxtaposed with its ostensible embrace of capitalism. How will Chinese Communist Party authority, ideology, and control address the encroachment of Western values that are centered on Roman law, Greek philosophy, and Christian religion which prioritizes individual freedom and democracy?

This book examines the role of traditional Chinese values, ideology, and philosophy as a key determinant in modern China’s leadership succession. The author asserts that, as communist ideology wanes, Chinese leaders will turn to their own traditional values found in Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism to establish legitimacy to rule as they seek to promote Chinese prominence and greatness in the world.

The author’s research assesses China’s promotion of its own traditional values in rejecting foreign value influence. Since the inception of modern China at the beginning of the 20th century, China’s leadership transition has evolved from an authoritarian, cult-like dictatorship to a consensus-oriented process. In researching this metamorphosis, this book offers social, political, cultural, and historical perspectives to demonstrate that Chinese human values and character factors have risen in prominence as key elements in the mandate of Chinese governance and leadership.

The author concludes that Chinese leadership values and its study and diffusion across sectors of Chinese leadership—including business, organizations, and government—have become a means to accentuate Chinese values as a viable alternative to Western claims of absolute and universally accepted values.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6½ x 9⅜

978-1-4985-5727-6 • Hardback • December 2017 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4985-5729-0 • Paperback • February 2020 • $47.99 • (£37.00)

978-1-4985-5728-3 • eBook • December 2017 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / Asian, History / Asia / China

Author

Paul Michael Linehan received a doctorate from Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Part I: Overview
Chapter 1: Traditional Chinese Ideology, Philosophy, and Values: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism
Part II: Political Leaders of Modern China: Factors, Values, and Issues
Chapter 2: Chinese Leadership Biographies, Events, and Paths
Chapter 3: Sun Yat Sen: Patron to All
Chapter 4: Yuan Shikai: Opportunity Knocks
Chapter 5: Rising Ideologies: Setting the Stage
Chapter 6: Jiang Jieshi: A Confucian Dictator by Any Other Name
Chapter 7: Mao Zedong: Peasant Among Equals
Chapter 8: Deng Xiaoping: Nine Lives: Enduring Legacy
Chapter 9: Jiang Zemin: Deng’s Economic Reform to Technocracy
Chapter 10: The Long March Ascent of Hu Jintao
Chapter 11: Prelude to Xi Jinping: The Fifth Generation of Leadership
Chapter 12: Xi Jinping: Princeling of the People
Part III: The Education of Tomorrow's CCP Leaders
Chapter 13: The Central Party School: The Name Says It All
Part IV: Conclusion: Leadership Looking Glass: The Lens of Its Past, the Vision of Its Future
Chapter 14: Moving Beyond or Seeking Retribution for its Past Humiliation?

Reviews

Paul Linehan's study offers the exceedingly rare combination of insight and judgment from a professional who has both a wealth of firsthand experience of involvement in US–Chinese policy and practice as well as a sophisticated interdisciplinary intellectual grasp on the distinctive nature and dynamics of the culture of leadership in China. It would be hard to imagine a more authoritative or trustworthy analysis of a critically important topic than this one.
— Francis J. Ambrosio, Georgetown University

Paul Linehan has broken new ground with this closely researched and carefully written analysis of Chinese leadership. He analyzes the mix of traditional Chinese values, communist ideology, and Western liberal influences that currently affect Beijing’s decision making. Most impressive is Linehan’s ability to synthesize these disparate ideological and practical influences to arrive at an analysis both theoretically interesting and useful for US policymakers.
— Bernard D. Cole, National War College

Paul Linehan's methodical yet creative study of China’s major political figures in the modern era reminds us all of the importance of culture in a time when it’s too often seen as irrelevant. By studying the range of leaders, their styles, and the culture affecting each of them, Linehan brings modern Chinese leadership to life. His work fills an important gap in the English literature on China's leadership and on some figures whose names are known but their styles not. His work will stand as a crucial piece for students and interested newcomers to the field for a long while.
— Cynthia Watson, National War College

This is a timely and comprehensive book that provides important insight into China's past and current leadership, examining their informing ideologies, backgrounds, worldviews, and priorities. This in-depth analysis is particularly informative today, during a time when an individual leader, Xi Jinping, holds an especially significant level of power and influence over China's governance. Paul Linehan's many years of experience and extensive research provides readers with a deeper understanding of China's leadership and, in turn, a better understanding of their decision-making process.
— Chi Wang, The U.S.-China Policy Foundation

From Sun Yat-sen to Xi Jinping, at near breakneck speed Paul Linehan’s excellent volume will take the reader on a tour d’horizon of the intellectual foundations of the key leaders of China’s revolution. With the ‘Great Tradition’ as backdrop, he provides insights into how each leader has approached China’s enduring quest for sovereignty, modernity, and stability.
— David M. Finkelstein, Center for Naval Analyses