Xiaobo Lü | 吕晓波
@xiaobolu.bsky.social
1.9K followers 290 following 30 posts
Comparative Political economy, Authoritarian Parties, Chinese Politics Associate Professor of Political Science, UC-Berkeley. Very infrequent social media user.
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xiaobolu.bsky.social
The CCP’s triumph over the KMT shocked the world—even the Soviets bet on the KMT with more aid. My book, Domination and Mobilization, asks: how did the CCP survive and prevail?

Domination and Mobilization offers three fresh arguments that explain the reversal of the century. 👇

cup.org/3G6WKB2
xiaobolu.bsky.social
We are grateful to your support!
xiaobolu.bsky.social
CPRP is delighted to welcome our first presentation in Fall 2025. Ye Zhang (MIT) will present her paper entitled "Political Control in the Workplace: How Autocrats Use Firms to Discipline Citizens" on Sep. 26 at 10-11AM (PST) 12-1PM(CST)/ 1-2PM(EST).
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Fall, 2025 September 26 (Friday), 2025 10-11AM (PST) / 12-1PM (CST) / 1-2PM (EST) “Political Control in the Workplace: How Autocrats Use Firms to Discipline Citizens” Ye Zhang (Massachu…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
I will be engaging a conversation with @daliyang.bsky.social, @vicshih.bsky.social, @tompepinsky.com and Martin Dimitrov on my new book at the #APSA2025 Author Meets Critics panel on 9/14, 10:00 to 11:30am PDT. Come join us if you are still around.

www.cambridge.org/core/books/d...
Domination and Mobilization
Cambridge Core - Asian Studies - Domination and Mobilization
www.cambridge.org
xiaobolu.bsky.social
This book is the result of years of research in party and government archives across China and Taiwan. I’m deeply grateful to a very long list of scholars and institutions across mainland China, Taiwan, and the United States whose support made it possible.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Domination and Mobilization is for scholars, students, and curious readers alike—anyone wanting to understand how the Communist revolution shaped party development in China and Taiwan. It also generates important implications for scholars interested in rebel organizations.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Drawing on rich CCP & KMT archives—including rarely used in party and government archives and county gazetteers —the book challenges prevailing wisdom on authoritarian politics and Chinese history.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Argument -3: The CCP’s victory wasn’t “destined.” Contingent events reshaped elite coalitions and shifted the balance of mobilization capacity—altering both parties’ fortunes.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Argument -2: And to mobilize effectively, a dominant leader had to emerge inside the party. Leadership mattered more than power-sharing among elites.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Argument -1: Mobilization wasn’t just about rallying loyal fighters. Mobilizing financial resources was equally important to sustaining a long, violent struggle.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
The CCP’s triumph over the KMT shocked the world—even the Soviets bet on the KMT with more aid. My book, Domination and Mobilization, asks: how did the CCP survive and prevail?

Domination and Mobilization offers three fresh arguments that explain the reversal of the century. 👇

cup.org/3G6WKB2
xiaobolu.bsky.social
We invite you to submit presentations for Fall 2025. We welcome working papers by scholars at various career stages, using any method, in the fields of comparative politics and international relations. Please fill out the form below by May 15:
Chinese Politics Research in Progress Call for Paper (Fall 2025)
Timing: Fridays on 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) in Fall, 2025 Venue: Zoom Contact us at [email protected]
docs.google.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Our final CPRP presentation by Clair Yang at Univ. of Washington THIS Friday (Apr. 18)! She is presenting an interesting model of institutionalized autocracy! Sean Gailmard and Victor Shih are our discussants. See below for details: chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 April 18 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “Institutionalized Autocracies: Social Structure andPolitical Dynamics in the Long Run” …
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
This Friday!!👇👇
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Can authoritarian leaders mitigate data manipulation by their subnational governments? Join us next Friday (Feb. 21) to find out the answer in a new paper by Handi Li, Shengqiao Lin, and Minh D. Trinh. See below for paper abstract and Zoom info.
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 February 21 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “Escaping the Manipulation Trap: Countering Local Data Manipulation by Disclosure” Ha…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Can authoritarian leaders mitigate data manipulation by their subnational governments? Join us next Friday (Feb. 21) to find out the answer in a new paper by Handi Li, Shengqiao Lin, and Minh D. Trinh. See below for paper abstract and Zoom info.
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 February 21 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “Escaping the Manipulation Trap: Countering Local Data Manipulation by Disclosure” Ha…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Join us for our next session by Chen Wang (Idaho) who will present “Wait for the Right Time: Leader’s Type, Tenure and International Cooperation.” Tyler Jost (Brown) and Jessica Weeks (Wisconsin) will serve discussants. Paper and Zoom link here: chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 February 7 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “Wait for the Right Time? Leader’s Type, Tenure, and International Cooperation” Chen W…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
This Friday👇👇
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Come join us for an exciting CPRP presentation next Friday (Jan. 31) by Ning Leng, David Bulman, and Kerry Ratigan on “How Perceptions of Democratic Backsliding Shape Preferences for Cooperation with China” discussed by Dan Mattingly & Scott Kastner.

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 January 31 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “How Perceptions of Democratic Backsliding Shape Preferences for Cooperation with China&#822…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Come join us for an exciting CPRP presentation next Friday (Jan. 31) by Ning Leng, David Bulman, and Kerry Ratigan on “How Perceptions of Democratic Backsliding Shape Preferences for Cooperation with China” discussed by Dan Mattingly & Scott Kastner.

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Spring, 2025 January 31 (Friday), 2025, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) “How Perceptions of Democratic Backsliding Shape Preferences for Cooperation with China&#822…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Tomorrow!!!👇👇👇
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Come join CPRP presentation on Dec. 6. Clara Suong, Scott Desposato, and Erik Gartzke will present "Weather Hawks and Doves: Rethinking Issue Salience in Territorial Conflicts." Dimitar Gueorguiev & Michael Goldfien are our discussants.

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Fall, 2024 December 6 (Friday), 2024, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) Fair-Weather Hawks and Doves: Rethinking Issue Salience in Territorial Conflicts Clara H. Suong (Vir…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Come join CPRP presentation on Dec. 6. Clara Suong, Scott Desposato, and Erik Gartzke will present "Weather Hawks and Doves: Rethinking Issue Salience in Territorial Conflicts." Dimitar Gueorguiev & Michael Goldfien are our discussants.

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Fall, 2024 December 6 (Friday), 2024, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) Fair-Weather Hawks and Doves: Rethinking Issue Salience in Territorial Conflicts Clara H. Suong (Vir…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Tomorrow 👇👇👇
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Please join us this Friday (Nov 22) for a presentation by Geoff Hoffman (UCSD) on "The Growth and Influence of Party Organizations in Chinese Internet Firms," followed by comments from Holger Kern (FSU) and @MegRithmire. Paper and Zoom link here:

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Fall, 2024 November 22 (Friday), 2024, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) The Growth and Influence of Party Organizations in Chinese Internet Firms Geoffrey Hoffman (UCSD) A…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Love to be part of this pack. Thanks for creating it.
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Please join us this Friday (Nov 22) for a presentation by Geoff Hoffman (UCSD) on "The Growth and Influence of Party Organizations in Chinese Internet Firms," followed by comments from Holger Kern (FSU) and @MegRithmire. Paper and Zoom link here:

chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com/schedule/
Presentations Schedule
Fall, 2024 November 22 (Friday), 2024, 1-2PM (EST) / 12-1 PM (CST) / 10-11AM (PST) The Growth and Influence of Party Organizations in Chinese Internet Firms Geoffrey Hoffman (UCSD) A…
chinesepoliticsresearchinprogress.com
xiaobolu.bsky.social
Huge congratulations and a well-deserved award, Didac!