The Politics of Reform in China: Deng, Jiang and Hu

This paper seeks to understand the political dynamics that operates behind reforms in China. To interpret the political influences that have, and are, determining the course and trajectory of the reform process, two themes have been chosen. First, an examination of ideological trends (determinants) and their relationship with economic reforms, and the second, as an important corollary, the behaviour of factions (variables) within the Communist Party of China (CPC) that have differing
perceptions on the role of ideology and reforms. These provide important indicators of policy changes and offer valuable insights into the evolution, depth and nature of Chinese politics during the reform period.