China: Autocracy 2.0 (Lecture by Prof. David YANG)

Zoom Webinar (Register here)

Modern China exemplifies Autocracy 2.0: economically strong, tech-savvy, and globally connected, using sophisticated control methods. What defines China’s political economy, and what drives Autocracy 2.0? What is its future direction? I examine autocracies’ two key challenges: incentives and information. While Autocracy 1.0 relied on fear and coercion, Autocracy 2.0 uses economic incentives to align interests with regime survival, fostering support. It employs advanced bureaucratic structures and technology to manage incentives and information, enabling success in a high-information environment. Finally, I explore Autocracy 3.0’s potential. In China, forces might revert to Autocracy 1.0, using technology for state control as growth slows but aspirations stay high. Globally, modern autocracies, led by China, are becoming major geopolitical forces, challenging the liberal democratic order.

Lecturer
David Yang (Invited Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo; Professor, Department of Economics, Harvard University)

Commentator
ITO Asei (Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo)

Moderator
Trent Brown (Associate Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo)