What does the educational backgrounds of Politburo members say about China’s priorities?

 

Until now, China’s rulers have been technocrats, specializing in the controlled build up and development of the country, primarily through large state-run companies and massive public-works projects.

 

But coming out of the most recent “election,” of the all-important seven-member Standing Committee of the Politburo, six men studied the social sciences and humanities in their post-secondary education, as compared to previous Standing Committees which were dominated by engineers and scientists.  For instance, Li Kequiang, who will replace “Grandpa” Wen Jiabao as Premier, has a Ph.D. in economics, and a masters and bachelors degrees in law.

 

Seemingly, the new leadership’s training prepares them more to deal with some of the major underlying social issues the country faces, including addressing inequality and delivering on the public’s desires for reforms that root out corruption and potentially give the public a greater say in how the country is run.

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