Nowe trendy w badaniach ilościowych nad chińskimi elitami politycznymi

Abstract

NEW TRENDS IN QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF CHINESE POLITICAL ELITES

Quantitative studies of Chinese political elites have been a research field that has provided key insights into the functioning of China’s authoritarian power system for decades. This article examines the evolution of research methods, from early demographic and factional analyses to the application of advanced statistical techniques, such as network analysis and machine learning. Special attention is given to the diversification of research populations, encompassing elites at both central and local levels, as well as the introduction of new indicators, such as interregional mobility, the structure of personal connections, and political loyalty metrics. The article demonstrates how evolving research tools have captured more complex mechanisms of cadre selection and power dynamics, particularly in the context of centralized personnel decisions during Xi Jinping’s era. Contemporary research approaches enhance the precision of forecasting promotions within the CCP structures and highlight the critical role of political loyalty and factional affiliation in recruitment processes. The findings underscore the significant impact of new analytical technologies on the study of political elites in authoritarian systems, offering broad opportunities for further exploration.