In most non-democratic countries, today governing forty-four percent of the world population, the power of the regime rests upon a ruling party. Contrasting with conventional notions that authoritarian regime parties serve to contain elite conflict and manipulate electoral-legislative processes, this book presents the case of China and shows that rank and-file members of the Communist Party allow the state to penetrate local communities. Subnational comparative analysis demonstrates that in 'red areas' with high party saturation, the state is most effectively enforcing policy and collecting taxes. Because party membership patterns are extremely enduring, they must be explained by events prior to the Communist takeover in 1949. Frontlines during the anti-colonial Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) continue to shape China's political map even today. Newly available evidence from the Great Leap Forward (1958–1961) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) shows how a strong local party basis sustained the regime in times of existential crisis.

Draws on a vast amount of new data

Uses a range of methods, including field observation, archival research, formal modeling, and statistical tests

Offers conclusions that can be used comparatively to study authoritarian regimes

Read more at http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/where-party-rules-rank-and-file-chinas-communist-state#PmqK7rOHgCEr0FUL.99

Daniel Koss, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

Daniel Koss is Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of Political Science of Academia Sinica, Taipei. Prior to this appointment, he was a post doctoral fellow at the Harvard Academy for International and Area studies.