Retrofitting Leninism and Re-examining Hawkishness in China with Dimitar Gueorguiev

Authoritarian resilience in China stems from the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to balance centralized control with consultative inclusivity, a concept termed "retrofitting Leninism." By leveraging digital technologies and big data, the state effectively monitors public sentiment and bypasses bureaucratic bottlenecks to synthesize policy from the bottom up. While traditional Leninist structures are often viewed as brittle, their inherent compartmentalization allows for flexible governance during rapid economic development. Research into Chinese public opinion reveals that citizens frequently interpret U.S.-China rivalry through an economic, rather than ideological, lens. Furthermore, individuals who express confidence in China’s domestic trajectory tend to favor diplomatic engagement over hawkish confrontation. These dynamics suggest that despite the securitization of international relations, pragmatic economic interests remain a significant driver of public sentiment, offering potential avenues for continued dialogue despite prevailing geopolitical tensions.