Making Autocracy Work
Representation and Responsiveness in Modern China

'Can responsive government and meaningful representation arise without democratic elections? Can a dictatorship be open enough to address popular grievances without running the risk of regime change? In Making Autocracy Work, Rory Truex addresses these puzzles by developing a rigorous theory that he evaluates using multifaceted empirical evidence from the most important test-case of the twenty-first century: the People's Republic of China.' Milan Svolik, Yale University, Connecticut

'Truex provides a compelling argument and evidence about deputies in the National People's Congress. From his work, we better understand not only Chinese politics, but also authoritarian institutions more broadly.' Jennifer Gandhi, Emory University, Atlanta

'Understanding how authoritarian countries operate and make decisions is vital for operating in today's global economy. Yet, such regimes are extremely difficult to study. And China, given its size, complexity, and secrecy is uniquely challenging. In this remarkable book, Rory Truex provides the most thorough and persuasive account to date of how China's legislative institutions reveal information, shape policy, and reflect the interests of underlying constituencies within the parameters allowed by the regime. The theoretical argument is provocative, but is supported by innovative and careful research design, insightful anecdotal evidence, and the author's deep country knowledge. It is an excellent piece of scholarship that will be a cornerstone of future comparative politics syllabi.' Edmund J. Malesky, Duke University, North Carolina

'Truex (Princeton) seeks to address the questions of whether meaningful representation can arise in the authoritarian setting and how representatives affect regime stability and governance outcomes. … In conclusion, the author believes that 'if there indeed comes a day when Chinese citizens in the mainland rise up again and demand meaningful political reform, NPC [National People's Congress] deputies will be forced to choose between the authoritarian regime that empowered them and the common people they claim to represent'.' S. K. Ma, CHOICE