A reliance on the strongman model of leadership poses dangers not only to the Chinese president \u2013 but to China itself<\/b>
\nAn effort to clear the way for President Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely, by amending the state constitution to abolish term limits on the Chinese presidency, could become the most controversial political development of modern Chinese history \u2013 not only since the establishment of communist rule in 1949 but since the founding of the republic in 1911, when the last Chinese imperial dynasty was overthrown.
By eliminating the two-term limit, Xi will ensure that he can stay at the helm beyond 2023 when his second five-year term ends, enabling him to become president for life, if he so chooses. In political science, a president for life is regarded as a de facto monarch.
Xi has already achieved near-absolute dominance over the Chinese political system, having accumulated more power in his first term than any of his predecessors since Mao Zedong. Xi, nicknamed \u201c China\u2019s chairman of everything \u201d, has taken personal control of policymaking on everything from politics, the economy, national security and foreign affairs to the internet, environment and maritime disputes. His political theory \u2013 \u201cXi Jinping thought\u201d \u2013 has been enshrined in the party charter, an honour that puts it on par with Mao\u2019s doctrine and superior to Deng Xiaoping\u2019s.
In making constitutional changes to ensure his indefinite rule, China is morphing from one-party rule to one-man rule, backtracking to the Mao era. The development has in effect overturned the party\u2019s most important political norms and rules regarding governance and power succession \u2013 rules that were agreed by post-Mao party leaders led by Deng. Apart from being the mastermind of China\u2019s market reform and opening up, Deng also implemented major reforms aimed at preventing the revival of Maoism and particularly one-man dictatorships.
In setting up age and term limits, Deng\u2019s aims were to avoid the excessive centralisation of power in the hands of one leader; to prevent personality cults; and to scrap the practice of lifelong service for senior officials. Deng also established a \u201ccollective leadership\u201d system based on consensus building, power sharing and a mechanism for orderly successions.
While Xi has largely inherited Deng\u2019s pragmatic economic policies, he has shown a determination to rewrite the rule book and revive some of Mao\u2019s philosophy of rule. His fiercest critics accuse him of building a personality cult and indoctrinating the masses. Xi has expanded his clampdowns on corruption and political dissent into a broader crusade to root out anyone disloyal or who fails to comply with his orders.
A more centralised and top-down system might have the merit of allowing for expedited decision-making as Xi aims to lead China\u2019s national rejuvenation at a critical historic juncture.
However, relying on the strongman model is risky, both for Xi himself and the country. It puts the steering wheel of the world\u2019s most populous nation and second largest economy in the hands of one person, spelling danger when that helmsman gets old or ill \u2013 as was seen in Mao\u2019s later days. The model makes it harder for Xi to avoid misjudgments and policy mistakes as few will dare to speak out. Removing term limits will help prevent future challenges to Xi\u2019s authority and legitimacy, but the resurgence of strongman politics could intensify internal power struggles as factions will compete for the powers and resources once shared among all.
History has shown many political leaders who sought lifelong service have not managed to realise their vision. Some have been deposed long before their deaths, others have even been assassinated by political enemies. And even if Xi succeeds in becoming a lifelong leader, he would in all likelihood then face serious challenges in selecting a successor to continue his legacies after his death and guaranteeing a smooth transition of power. Mao repeatedly failed in this regard. The stakes could not be any higher: renewed hostility among political rivals and the repression of political dissent puts China at risk of repeating the tragedies of the Mao era. \u25a0
Cary Huang, a senior writer with the South China Morning Post, has been a China affairs columnist since the 1990s<\/p>\n