Institutional Genes: The Origins of China’s Institutions and Totalitarianism

April 25, 2025: Institutional Genes: The Origins of China’s Institutions and Totalitarianism Renowned political economist Chenggang Xu delved into the origins and evolution of China’s institutions and communist totalitarianism. Through the lens of “Institutional Genes,” he explored how elements from Soviet Russia’s communist regime fused with the Chinese imperial system, creating a resilient totalitarian regime with unique Chinese characteristics. In addition, he examined key historical events like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, analyzing how this hybrid system facilitated China’s rapid economic growth but now poses significant challenges to its long-term sustainability. This public lecture series is organized by the 21st Century China Center at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). For more information on China activities, please visit https://china.ucsd.edu.