In a recent Wall Street Journal article Dave Shambaugh predicted the collapse of the Chinese communist system.  in this article he states that the parties days are limited and the countdown to disaster has already begun. This may seem extreme but drawing a look at history the Chinese state has never been as stable as they like to present. Throughout its history China has been ravaged by Civil War, internal strife and power struggles. This predisposition for violence coupled with a growing divide between the two systems in China could set the state up for collapse. Over the past two decades the PRC has experienced reforms in all aspects in life. The economic reforms, however, have been much more extreme than the reforms in governance. This has led to a growing divide between the economic elite and the average citizens and even government officials. He also states that many of these elites have stronger roots in the United States and Europe than in China and would be likely to leave the mainland at the fist sign of trouble. Mr. Shambaugh also comments on the problems of corruption and repression but these factors can all be summarized in one statement. Political stability  relies on consent of the governed. In China public toleration of the government is tenuous at best. President Xi must work to strengthen this feeling if the state and the party will continue to exist.