Understanding China
A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture
- 448 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
"A clearheaded, multidimensional tour of China's political, economic, and social landscapes." — Current History
"Packed with facts and figures, but enlivened with firsthand observations. . . . An excellent introduction to China for anyone in search of solid but concise information about that complicated country." — The New York Times Book Review
For more than a decade, John Bryan Starr's indispensable guide has introduced uninitiated readers to the background, basic data, and issues at stake in China's crisis-ridden present and future. Now, in this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Starr seamlessly weaves the salient events of the past ten years into the core narrative of the book. Exmaining the major new developments—among them the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Communist Party's continuing efforts to curb the influence of the Internet, and the intensifying trade disputes with the United States—Starr shows how Deng Xiaoping's successors have worked tirelessly to retain their hold on power in spite of a rapidly developing capitalist economy. Building on the strengths of the original version, the third edition of Understanding China continues to offer a smart, solid overview of Chinese history, society, culture, and politics.
"This succinct and easy-to-read title removes much of the puzzlement with which many Americans regard China and the Chinese. . . . A lucid examination of Chinese character, practices, and problems." — School Library Journal
"Provides substantial coverage of the relationships between China's history and the present-day system. . . . Invaluable for anyone about to engage in business in China." — MultiCultural Review
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- List of Tables
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTION
- 1 - GEOGRAPHICAL INEQUALITIES
- 2 - PATTERNS FROM THE PAST
- 3 - THE PARTY-STATE
- 4 - POLITICS AND POWER
- 5 - THE ECONOMY
- 6 - THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES OF REGIONALISM
- 7 - CITIES
- 8 - RURAL DISCONTENT
- 9 - ETHNIC IDENTITY
- 10 - ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
- 11 - POPULATION PRESSURE
- 12 - THE RULE OF LAW
- 13 - EDUCATION
- 14 - THE FLOW OF INFORMATION
- 15 - THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS
- 16 - TAIWAN
- 17 - THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY
- 18 - THE EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION
- CONCLUSION
- ALSO BY JOHN BRYAN STARR
- APPENDIX - Time Line of Events in Twentieth- and Twenty-first-Century China
- FURTHER READING
- INDEX
- Notes
- Copyright Page