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China THE POLITICS OF MODERNIZATION
In the years following the Third Plenum of the Eleventh
Committee Central in 1978, certain key reforms set in motion a
process of systemic change in society. Successful continuation of
the reform program depended on the ability of China's senior
leaders to respond to the constant challenges encountered in
implementing these changes. Although a significant portion of the
political system underwent major reform, a central question
remaining in the late 1980s was whether or not the party could
maintain stable central leadership. There was reason to question
whether a consensus could be built within China's top leadership
circles without the presence of a leader of the stature of Deng
Xiaoping. With major bureaucratic interests to contend with and
satisfy, and differing ideological orientations within the top
leadership, strong central direction seemed to be the basic
requirement for continuing reform.
Data as of July 1987
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