Liang Li 李靓

Research

Working papers & projects

I study authoritarian politics and nationalism in developing countries, focusing on relations among political elites and the state’s role in shaping national identity.

Authoritarian Politics

I study power sharing and exclusion among political elites in authoritarian regimes. My research asks how rulers and other elites negotiate access to power, how rivals are excluded from ruling coalitions, and how these processes shape the consolidation of power.

My current projects examine failed coups and the erosion of power sharing, as well as power consolidation after rebel victory.

Working paper

Early-Tenure Failed Coups and Personalization: What Leads to the Erosion of Power Sharing in Authoritarian Regimes?

Liang Li and Rui Tang

Working paper

Build Your Base or Break Your Rivals? Power Consolidation after Rebel Victory

Liang Li

Nationalism

I study how states shape national identity. I am particularly interested in how education and official narratives define national belonging and contribute to nation building.

My current work examines narratives of national unity and frontier governance in China’s Gaokao, alongside research on shared ethnic identity with political leaders and democratic support.

Working paper

Selective Examinations and Authoritarian State-Building: Narratives of National Unity and Frontier Governance in China’s Gaokao

Liang Li, Li Ning, and You-chen Chen

Working paper

Identity-Based Proximity to Power and Selective Democratic Support: Presidential Co-Ethnic Category Membership in Sub-Saharan Africa

Liang Li and Rui Tang

Other Research

Working paper

Farther from China, More Responsive to Trade Dependence: Democracy and Foreign Policy Alignment with China

Rui Tang and Liang Li

Working paper

Does State Status Matter? Tribunal Language in Investment Arbitration, 1990–2025

Liang Li and Abdullah Kayar

Conference presentations