The addition of “Xi Jinping thought” to the Chinese Communist Party’s constitution was viewed as a great boost to the potential President for Life, and correctly so. However, “Xi Jinping thought” will also operate as a restraint on Xi; he can only claim a mandate to rule as long as he behaves in a manner consistent with his own published thought.
By way of contrast, there is no “Vladimir Putin thought,” so he can do what he damn well pleases. It’s all about the man himself in Russia, and if he wants to change course on a dime, he can do it.
A note to my readers: I will be on vacation until April 3. Don’t expect any new posts until then.