Decentralized Authoritarianism in China

China like many authoritarian regimes struggles with the tension between the need to foster economic development by empowering local officials and the regimes imperative to control them politically. Landry explores how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) manages local officials in order to meet these goals and perpetuate an unusually decentralized authoritarian regime. Using unique data collected at the municipal county and village level Landry examines in detail how the promotion mechanisms for local cadres have allowed the CCP to reward officials for the development of their localities without weakening political control. His research shows that the CCPs personnel management system is a key factor in explaining Chinas enduring authoritarianism and proves convincingly that decentralization and authoritarianism can work hand in hand.