Friday 28 Nov 2025 @ 15:25
Chatham House
Printable version

China’s ‘smart authoritarianism’ has upended ideas about autocracies’ limitations. The West must cooperate to respond

EXPERT COMMENT

Beijing has consistently defied expectations to overcome the ‘King’s dilemma’ – maintaining control while fostering innovation. It presents a historic challenge. 

Twenty years ago, few observers expected that China would become a serious competitor to US technological leadership. Authoritarian countries, it was argued, would be unable to foster technological innovation. 

But the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has adapted, transforming China from the world’s assembly line to an innovation superpower. The result is a geopolitical and military challenge far greater than the world’s leading liberal countries ever envisioned.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.

 

Channel website: https://www.chathamhouse.org/

Original article link: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/chinas-smart-authoritarianism-has-upended-ideas-about-autocracies-limitations-west-must

Share this article
RESEARCH EXPERTS EVENTS MEMBERSHIP ACADEMY ABOUT

 

Latest News from
Chatham House

Russia is weakened, but its influence in the Middle East should not be underestimated

12/12/2025 12:20:00

A widespread, but misleading, assumption holds that Moscow’s current weakness signals its inevitable retreat from the region. In reality, Russia has deepened its entrenchment.

China’s record $1 trillion-plus trade surplus shows the renminbi should be allowed to appreciate

10/12/2025 09:25:00

China’s surging high-tech competitiveness, weak appetite for imports and undervalued renminbi have fuelled the huge surplus – but the trend is unsustainable.

The Donbas region remains an intractable issue in talks between Russia and Ukraine

09/12/2025 12:20:00

Europe should look to history to prepare for the realities of long-term occupation of Ukrainian territory.

UK’s indecision over Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ highlights need for a more coherent China policy

04/12/2025 12:20:00

The UK government needs a more strategic approach to deal with potential espionage and foreign interference from Beijing.

Putin’s India visit aims to reaffirm New Delhi–Moscow relations – just as Trump applies pressure to downgrade them

03/12/2025 09:20:00

US pressure aims to choke off Russian oil supplies to India. Modi and Putin are seeking to deepen cooperation in other areas. But in the long-term, relations are in a managed decline.

Zelenskyy’s right-hand man has gone. Here’s what should happen next

02/12/2025 15:25:00

Andriy Yermak resigned amid a corruption scandal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must now re-balance power and strengthen democracy by empowering the government, parliament and local authorities.

The UK’s new critical minerals strategy is an ambitious step forward. Now it needs a champion

01/12/2025 15:25:00

The government’s ambitions are welcome, but require dedicated leadership and international support in order to succeed.

De-escalation is needed to prevent Ethiopia and Eritrea from going to war

01/12/2025 12:20:00

Preventive diplomacy is vital to stop another devastating war in the Horn of Africa amid rising tensions over Tigray and Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access.

Trump’s 28 point ‘peace plan’ marks Europe’s last chance to stand up for Ukraine

25/11/2025 15:25:00

European national leaders have been too slow and cautious in their support for Kyiv. Can they rise to meet this defining moment?

How risk-ready is your organisation?