Description
Book SynopsisChina's move to an open market economy ended the political chaos and economic stagnation of the Cultural Revolution and sparked an unprecedented economic boom. Yet this success came at the cost of a weakening central government, increasing inequalities, and fragmenting society. The essays here explore this contradiction.
Trade ReviewIt is not often that a collection of essays by academics can be read with profit by specialists and laity alike. But
The Paradox of China’s Post-Mao Reforms is an important exception. In dealing with what will be the most fateful politico-economic relationship of the 21st century—that between the United States and mainland China—most of the contributors write in unjargoned English. There is no better introduction to the complexities—Taiwan, human rights, military expenditures, economic reforms, trade—of U.S.–China relations than this volume. -- Arnold Beichman * Washington Times *
The economic reforms in China have had very complex, sometimes contradictory, effects. There has been no suitable volume to which one could turn for a complete view. This work contains a comprehensive, up-to-date treatment of the reforms by leading scholars in the field. -- Parks M. Coble, University of Nebraska
An excellent overview of the key areas of impact of economic reform on the Chinese polity and social groups through the eighties and more particularly in the nineties. Its focus on the non-economic aspects of reform is welcome as discussions of economic reform have tended to dominate compendiums in recent years. However, the book takes the economic reforms seriously and shows how they have impacted on the Party-state, affected notions of representation, restructured relations between the Party-state and society, and affected different social groups. It is an impressive tour de force of the reforms and their impacts and will be most welcome reading not only for the China specialist but also for those interested in transitions from communist rule in particular and from authoritarian regimes more generally. -- Anthony J. Saich, The Ford Foundation
Table of ContentsPreface I. Introduction 1. Dynamic Economy, Declining Party-State Merle Goldman & Roderick MacFarquhar 2. China's Transition in Economic Perspective Barry Naughton II. Limited Political Reforms 3. Elite Politics Joseph Fewsmith 4. Party-Military Relations Paul H. B. Godwin 5. The National People's Congress Murray Scot Tanner 6. The Struggle over Village Elections Lianjiang Li & Kevin J. 0 'Brien 7. Mass Political Behavior in Beijing Tianjian Shi III. Fragmenting Society 8. The Changing Role of Workers Martin King Whyte 9. Farmer Discontent and Regime Responses Thomas P. Bernstein 10. China's Floating Population Dorothy J. Solinger 11. The New Middle Class David S. G. Goodman 12. The Rise of Private Business Interests Kitten Paths 13. The Emergence of Politically Independent Intellectuals Merle Goldman 14. Crime, Corruption, and Contention Elizabeth J. Perry Conclusion 15. The "State of the State" Richard Baum & Alexei Shevchenko Notes Contributors
