What did Lin Zhengyi study in the United States as noted in the nonfiction book, Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China?

Lin traveled to the United States to study economics, where he became deeply skeptical of the theory that democracy must precede economic development. Instead, he favored the Chinese model of tight state control of the political and economic system to ensure successful policies. Lin maintained these views as Chief Economist of the World Bank, placing him in opposition to many of his colleagues. After leaving the World Bank, he became an ardent supporter of Chinese government policies, earning him some disdain from liberal activists.