Keith Lieberthal, the prominent expert on Chinese politics and U.S.-China relations, was born in 1943. This places his age at 80 in the year 2023.
Professional Background
Lieberthal boasts a distinguished career spanning academia, government, and think tanks:
- Government Service: Served as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for Asia on the National Security Council (NSC) during the Clinton Administration, focusing on U.S.-China relations.
- Academic Career: Longtime professor at the University of Michigan where he held positions including Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus of Political Science and William Davidson Professor Emeritus of Business Administration. Founded and directed the University of Michigan's Center for Chinese Studies.
- Think Tank Leadership: Served as Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at The Brookings Institution, later becoming a Senior Fellow Emeritus.
- Business Expertise: Significant experience advising multinational corporations on managing in China, notably as Chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.
Key Contributions and Expertise
Lieberthal is renowned for his deep analysis of China's political system and U.S.-China relations:
- Chinese Bureaucracy: His seminal concept of "Fragmented Authoritarianism" revolutionized understanding of decision-making within the Chinese Communist Party and bureaucracy.
- U.S.-China Relations: Provided influential analysis and policy advice on navigating the complex bilateral relationship for decades, both within government and from external advisory roles.
- Scholarship: Authored numerous highly regarded academic books and policy reports, such as "Governing China: From Revolution Through Reform" and "Bureaucracy, Politics, and Decision Making in Post-Mao China".
- Corporate Strategy: Translated his deep understanding of China's political and business environment into practical advice for global businesses.
Now Senior Fellow Emeritus at Brookings, Keith Lieberthal continues to be a respected voice in analysis of Chinese politics and policy.
