Strategic Planning in China: The Role of Political Control in the 14th Five-Year Plan
Strategic Planning in China: The Role of Political Control in the 14th Five-Year Plan

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) as a tool for China’s socioeconomic development and political control. The research identifies three key dimensions of political control embedded in the plan: regulation of economic variables, coordination across public policies and administrative levels, and management oversight mechanisms. The plan fosters innovation as the primary driver of growth, reinforced by the “dual circulation” policy that balances domestic and international markets to enhance economic resilience. Coordination ensures alignment of local and central policies, addressing disparities among regions while promoting sustainable development. The 14th Plan is also an instrument of political control, using evaluation systems, cadre oversight, and mandatory and indicative goals to enforce compliance with government priorities. The findings suggest that the 14th Plan serves dual purposes: achieving developmental objectives and consolidating centralized control over China’s economy and society. This duality reflects the Chinese government’s integration of authoritarian principles into modern strategic planning. This research provides new insights into the role of planning in authoritarian states, particularly its capacity to align political and economic priorities.

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