ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the main historical periods in China and an analysis of the pattern of the life span of unified regimes in China. In the twenty-two periods of the past four thousand years, China disintegrated into contending kingdoms in eight of these periods, and united during the other fourteen periods. The chapter identifies and explains a pattern of Chinese historical regimes. It draws lessons from the historical studies and examines factors that favor or hinder the longevity of the Party state. On the basis of a historical study it argues that the Party state enjoys a set of factors that seem to bode well for its durability, including the absence of formidable and immediate foreign invaders and of organised and armed domestic opposition. The historically-implied longevity of the current regime, however, is constrained by the growing significance of ideational powers of individual rights, the rule of law, transparency, supervision of power holders, and democracy.
