Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts

"Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts" presents a compelling examination of how numbers have shaped Chinese politics over the decades and the limitations inherent in this system of quantification. Jeremy Wallace explores the evolution of these metrics under Mao Zedong's leadership and how they eventually failed to address critical issues, prompting Xi Jinping to implement significant changes. Through aggressive anti-corruption measures and a focus on party authority, Xi's approach reflects both a response to prior shortcomings and a strategy to legitimize his rule. The book highlights the complex interplay between coercion, cooptation, and the persuasive power of quantification in authoritarian governance.