Book synopsis: The emergence of China as a great power is perhaps the most consequential development for the world in the 21st century. Yet, what the Western world sees in this development is largely through the prism of misinterpreted ideological dichotomy and misguided geopolitical rivalry.

This book offers a deep look at the Chinese Communist Party and the nation it leads at conceptual, historic, and operational levels. If Thomas Kuhn’s concept of paradigm shift can be used in the social sciences, then China would represent the most significant anomaly to the dominant liberal exemplar. Through Party Life, Li aims to help students of China and of politics in general – as well as the Western political and commercial elites alike – to better grasp the nature and weight of the Chinese phenomenon.

Q&A moderated by FCC Correspondent Board Member Karen Koh.