To prevail in 2022, Mr. Xi has turned himself into a [[dictator]]. Instead of allowing the party to tell him what policies to adopt, he dictates the policies he wants it to follow. State media is now broadcasting a stunning scene in which Mr. Xi leads the [[Politburo Standing Committee|Standing Committee of the Politburo]] in slavishly repeating after him an oath of loyalty to the party and to him personally. This must be a humiliating experience, and it is liable to turn against Mr. Xi even those who had previously accepted him. | To prevail in 2022, Mr. Xi has turned himself into a [[dictator]]. Instead of allowing the party to tell him what policies to adopt, he dictates the policies he wants it to follow. State media is now broadcasting a stunning scene in which Mr. Xi leads the [[Politburo Standing Committee|Standing Committee of the Politburo]] in slavishly repeating after him an oath of loyalty to the party and to him personally. This must be a humiliating experience, and it is liable to turn against Mr. Xi even those who had previously accepted him. |