Inside Their Ranks: How Authoritarian Elites Compete Even While Appearing Loyal

Loyalty to a dictator is often assumed to guarantee ruling group cohesiveness.

➡️ Faction Competition

Chinese political elites under promotion pressure foster rivalry among peers despite outward loyalty.

📊 Data & Methods

Using records of 2000-2014 corruption investigations and industrial accidents in Chinese provincial leaders, we analyze media reporting patterns.

🔍 Key Findings

• Local media disproportionately report negative events related to co-faction rivals (more often than on other faction members)

• These reports target promotionally ambitious elites within the same faction structure

• Such negative coverage systematically reduces the promotion chances of reported cadres while boosting reporters' prospects

📝 Why It Matters

This study reveals how authoritarian systems maintain loyalty while structuring intense intra-group competition to manage power dynamics. The findings suggest that apparent cohesion in elite circles often masks deep rivalries essential for regime survival.