For decades, many in the West believed China would gradually liberalize. The reasoning seemed straightforward: As China grew richer and more integrated into global markets, it would become more open politically.

That did not happen. China changed, but not in that direction. Its economy expanded rapidly, while political controls remained and, in some areas, intensified. The issue today is no longer whether this is true, but how much it is still underestimated.

Western Assumptions vs. Chinese Reality

In Western systems, law is expected to constrain power. Governments are supposed to operate within rules, and those rules protect individuals from arbitrary authority. This assumption is so deeply rooted that it often goes unexamined.

China looks similar on the surface. It has written laws, functioning courts and formal procedures. But the underlying order is different: Political authority comes first, and law follows.

China’s constitution makes this clear. It places the leadership of the Communist Party at the core of the system. Law does not stand above power. It operates within it and serves its priorities.

This becomes visible in practice. Terms such as “state security” or “social stability” are broadly defined, and their meaning can shift depending on context. The same action may be tolerated in one situation and punished in another.

That creates a........

© Eurasia Review