The authors examine who the private entrepreneurs are, how the party-state shapes this group, and what their relationship to the state is. China’s entrepreneurs are closely tied to the state through political and financial relationships, and these ties shape their views toward democracy. While most entrepreneurs favor multi-candidate elections under the current one-party system, they do not support a system characterized by multi-party competition and political liberties, including the right to demonstrate. The key to regime support lies in the capitalists’ political beliefs and their assessment of the government’s policy performance. China’s capitalists tend to be conservative and status-quo oriented, not likely to serve as agents of democratization.

This is a valuable contribution not only to the debates over the prospects for democracy in China but also to understanding the process of democratization around the globe.

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction

2 The Evolution of the Private Sector in China

3 Political Embeddedness among China's Capitalists

4 The Level and Sources of Capitalist's Democratic Support

5 Regime Support among China's Capitalists

6 Political Activities of Private Entrepreneurs in China

7 Conclusion: Findings and Implications

Appendix: Research Design and Data Analysis

Notes

Bibliography

Index