In communist and socialist theory, collective leadership is a shared distribution of power within an organizational structure, sometimes publicly described or designed as primus inter pares (first among equals).
Collective leadership in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is generally considered to have begun with reformist Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s during the same time period as the Chinese economic reform, who tried to encourage the CCP Politburo Standing Committee to rule by consensus in order to prevent a resurgence of autocracy under Maoist rule.
[1] Xi has taken deliberate steps to establish his personal dominance within the Chinese political system, effectively rising above his peers in the Politburo Standing Committee.
[citation needed] Xi has also made it clear that he will have the final say in economic and financial matters, foregoing the tradition of shared responsibility with the Premier.
[2] This concentration of power has led to concerns that Xi's actions might be undermining essential party norms and pushing China toward a more personalistic dictatorship, a notion reinforced by the party machine and state media's vigorous promotion of his image and authority through various channels such as publishing his speeches and writings, public appearances, and the creation of cartoons portraying him as a strong leader.
[citation needed] Today, there is not one paramount leader in Vietnam; power is shared between the General Secretary, President, the Prime Minister as well as the National Assembly Chairmain along with collegial bodies such as the Politburo, Secretariat and the Central Committee.