The New Emperors: Power and the Princelings in China

The New Emperors examines how power operates at the highest levels of Chinese politics, with a focus on the selection and rise of China's leaders. The book centers on Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang's ascent to power in 2012. Through interviews and research into party documents, Kerry Brown reconstructs the complex networks and relationships that define leadership in the Chinese Communist Party. The text maps out the key players, institutions, and unwritten rules that shape decision-making in modern China's political system. Brown analyzes the backgrounds and careers of China's top leaders, exploring how family connections, patronage networks, and factional politics influence who rises to power. The book covers the period from Deng Xiaoping through to the current leadership, tracing how power transitions occur within the party structure. The work presents Chinese politics not as a monolithic system but as an intricate web of competing interests and power centers, challenging simplistic Western interpretations of how authority functions in contemporary China.

Readers found the book provided insider details on Chinese political leadership, particularly focusing on the rise of Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex party relationships - Historical context for current leadership - Detailed research and sources - Accessible writing style for newcomers to Chinese politics Disliked: - Some sections become repetitive - Technical party terminology can be overwhelming - Several readers noted the book ends abruptly - Limited coverage of economic policies One reader on Amazon noted it "fills an important gap in understanding the personal backgrounds of China's top leaders." A Goodreads reviewer criticized that "the family connections and relationships become hard to follow without a reference diagram." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (28 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (12 ratings) The book was most appreciated by readers already familiar with Chinese politics rather than complete beginners.

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🔸 Author Kerry Brown learned to speak Mandarin while living in Inner Mongolia during the 1990s, giving him unique insights into Chinese culture away from the major coastal cities. 🔸 The book reveals that Xi Jinping was initially considered an unlikely candidate for top leadership, as he was viewed as too low-key and provincial compared to other contenders. 🔸 During his research, Brown analyzed over 5,000 Chinese language sources and documents to piece together the complex relationships between China's political elite. 🔸 The term "princelings" refers to the children of veteran communist revolutionaries - this group makes up about 20% of China's current top political leadership. 🔸 The book demonstrates how China's top leaders must balance at least seven distinct power networks, including the military, state enterprises, and regional governments, to maintain control.