Organizational Transformation and Leadership Development: A Study of Li Lisan and the CCP Central Committee, 1927–29

Abstract Li Lisan was a pivotal figure in the early Chinese Communist Party (CCP). His meteoric rise and subsequent political line profoundly shaped the party's development during a critical period of transformation. After studying in France and participating in early labour movements, Li emerged as an influential leader during the tumultuous aftermath of the First United Front's collapse. This article examines Li's ascent to power in the CCP from 1927 to 1929, focusing on three critical phases: his appointment as provincial party secretary in the Guangdong province following the failed Guangzhou Uprising; his elevation through the Sixth CCP Congress; and his role in reshaping central–provincial relations. Combining material from Chinese and Soviet sources, the article illustrates how personal networks, centre–periphery dynamics and Comintern influence shaped leadership formation within the early CCP. Li Lisan's case illustrates how revolutionary organizations manage leadership transitions during periods of crisis, balance central authority with local initiative and navigate international relationships. The article contributes to our understanding of institutional adaptation in revolutionary movements and illuminates a crucial yet understudied period in the CCP's organizational development.