Why Vietnam’s Escalating Anti-Corruption Campaign Might Backfire – The Diplomat

Similar to other authoritarian regimes worldwide, the survival of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) hinges on the support of ordinary citizens. Initially, the CPV sought widespread legitimacy and support through a combination of nationalism and communism. However, the near collapse of the economy in the 1980s led to disillusionment regarding ideology-based legitimacy, prompting the CPV to embrace a capitalist economy. Since then, the CPV has gradually shifted from ideology-based legitimacy to performance-based legitimacy.

Sustained economic growth has indeed bolstered public support and trust in Communist Party rule. However,…