Definition
Pan Wei is a Chinese political scientist and professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University. He serves as the director of the Center for Chinese and Global Affairs and is recognized for his work in comparative politics, Chinese domestic politics, and international relations.
Overview
Born in Beijing on 30 July 1960, Pan Wei completed his undergraduate (BA, 1982) and master’s (MA, 1984) studies in the Department of International Politics at Peking University. He earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1996. After a research assistantship at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (1985–1987), he joined the faculty of Peking University in 1996, where he has remained a full professor.
Pan’s research focuses on the political development of China, comparative authoritarianism, and China’s role in global governance. He has authored and co‑authored numerous articles—approximately eighty—as well as several monographs on Chinese politics and international affairs. His expertise is regularly sought by academic institutions, think‑tanks, and policy forums, including the World Economic Forum and the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Pan Wei” follows the conventional Chinese naming order, with the family name (surname) first. “Pan” (潘) is a common Chinese surname of ancient origin, historically associated with the State of Pan during the Zhou dynasty. “Wei” (伟 or 威) is a given name meaning “great” or “prestigious” when written as 伟, or “powerful” when written as 威. The precise character used for Pan Wei’s given name is not publicly specified in the sources consulted.
Characteristics
- Academic Positions: Professor, School of International Studies, Peking University; Director, Center for Chinese and Global Affairs.
- Education: BA and MA, Peking University (International Politics); Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (Political Science).
- Research Interests: Comparative politics, Chinese domestic politics, international political economy, China’s foreign policy, authoritarian regime stability.
- Publications: Over 80 peer‑reviewed articles; notable works include studies on political reform in China, China‑US relations, and the comparative analysis of authoritarian institutions.
- Professional Affiliations: Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Geopolitics; Fellow of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.
- Recognition: Frequently cited in scholarly literature on Chinese politics; invited speaker at international conferences and policy workshops.
Related Topics
- Chinese politics and governance
- Comparative authoritarianism
- International relations theory
- Peking University, School of International Studies
- Center for Chinese and Global Affairs
- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Institute of World Economics and Politics)
- World Economic Forum (Global Future Councils)
- Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs