The Chinese Communist Party: A Strategic Center of Gravity Analysis
Abstract
A strategic center of gravity analysis of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reveals four mutually-supporting critical capabilities that provide the Party's primary capacity to maintain dominant power and authority in China. However, a major deficiency assumed by one critical capability also becomes a critical vulnerability assumed by the entire system, weakening the CCP's capacity to cope with additional stress. This paper provides an initial set of essential definitions for key center of gravity-related attributes, proposes a construct for the term "political resilience," and outlines an analytical framework for the study. The paper explains the history and organizational nature of the CCP as a strategic center of gravity followed by a comprehensive examination of each critical capability. Using this analysis, the study yields five major findings: a mutual buttressing effect among the Party's critical capabilities; a focus to bind the nation to the Party; a current lack of synergism of instabilities; the mixed-impact of China's looming demographic challenges; and potential domestic constraints on the CCP's near-term ability to pursue pragmatic policies. The paper concludes with a brief look at the Party's ultimate future in China.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA560580
Entities
People
- James T. Abernethy Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College