China’s interpretative state

China’s rise is usually measured through economic growth, technological innovation, or military strength. Yet these indicators alone cannot explain how the country governs itself or how it positions its power in an increasingly interconnected world.

In China’s Interpretive State, Paulo Duarte offers a compelling new perspective: modern Chinese governance operates not only through institutions and policies, but also through the strategic construction of narratives that define reality, shape public expectations, and guide political action.

Drawing on political theory, discourse analysis, and international relations, the book examines how narratives function as instruments of authority across four key arenas: leadership legitimacy, social cohesion, foreign policy, and financial security. From Mao Zedong’s revolutionary discourse to Deng Xiaoping’s developmental pragmatism and Xi Jinping’s vision of national rejuvenation, Duarte reveals how China’s leaders have used interpretation itself as a tool of governance.

Insightful and timely, this book provides a deeper understanding of how China manages complexity, legitimacy, and power within today’s global order.