Part 7/9:
This reliance on fear and obedience can weaken China’s future strategic and military capabilities. Removing talented officials might ensure loyalty today but jeopardizes the regime’s adaptability and resilience down the line.
Power in the Hands of a Fragile Regime
The core argument Ken presents is that Xi’s power, while seemingly secure, is actually fragile because it rests on a foundation of fear and suppression. The substantial purges are not evidence of weakness but of a regime that operates through unchecked authority. The absence of resistance, combined with his ability to eliminate challengers at will, illustrates an authoritarian regime in its most extreme form.