Support PolyMatter & watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/polymatter-why-corruption-is-chinas-secret-weapon Watch episode 1 of my new Nebula Original series: https://nebula.tv/videos/polymatter-how-chinese-censorship-works Sources: https://pastebin.com/M7a5efaW A huge part of this video is based on Yuen Yuen Ang’s great book “China's Gilded Age: The Paradox of Economic Boom and Vast Corruption”. If you enjoyed this video, I recommend reading the full book: https://www.amazon.com/Chinas-Gilded-Age-Economic-Corruption/dp/1108478603 (not sponsored or an affiliate link) Twitter: https://twitter.com/polymatters Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/PolyMatter Email: polymatter@standard.tv How I Make These Videos: https://skl.sh/2OW1YQR Music by Graham Haerther (http://www.Haerther.net/) Audio editing by Eric Schneider Motion graphics by Vincent de Langen Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster Writing & Direction by Evan This includes a paid sponsorship which had no part in the writing, editing, or production of the rest of the video. Music by Epidemic Sound: http://epidemicsound.com/ Video supplied by Getty Images Maps provided by MapTiler/OpenStreetMap Contributors and GEOlayers 3 Select footage from the AP Archive