Overview

This overview of Chinese politics, economy, and society by a leading scholar offers a deeply informed assessment of China’s last decade—its debates and political infighting, its rising and assertive international profile, and the forceful initiatives taken by Xi Jinping, who is proving to be China’s strongest leader since Mao and Deng. François Godement moves from the inner workings of the Party elite to the economic policies that have made China the world’s factory while fueling growing inequality. He explains the recent turn of China’s foreign policy to assertiveness, showing its roots in domestic political competition. He illustrates this trend with the case of Sino-Japanese relations, which have fluctuated wildly since the start of the reform era in 1978. Providing rare and vivid insights into the trenches of Chinese politics, the book illuminates dramatic corruption cases, behind-the-scenes decision-making processes, and a political and intellectual establishment torn between political reform and nationalism. It will be of interest not only to academics and students but also to general readers interested in China’s political scene beyond the headlines. This book was originally published in French as “Que veut la Chine? De Mao au capitalisme” and was translated by Rhoda B. Miller.

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9781442225374

Table of Contents

Reviews

Contemporary China: Between Mao and Market belongs in current events, China affairs and political science collections alike as it provides an overview of modern Chinese society from an international scholar who narrows the focus to the country's last few decades of events. From its changing policies (both internally and externally) to the most recent events affecting its foreign policy and relationships, chapters offer many behind-the-scenes insights into how decisions are made, the state of political and social reforms and sentiments, and what's really happening in modern China. The result is a handbook designed to serve as a discussion point, with Europe's leading China expert providing a hard-hitting assessment of where the nation has been and where it's heading, and why. Midwest Book Review A very thoughtful, witty, enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, and easy-to-read overview of today's China. -- Marc Lanteigne, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs This is a great synthesis and brilliant analysis of Chinese politics that includes a very provocative prospective section. -- Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Hong Kong Baptist University Sometimes there are decisive turning points in nations' histories. In this incisive and insightful volume Francois Godement, Europe's leading China expert, focuses on the short three-year period when China began to display a harder edge internally and externally. His analysis illuminates this 'new normal' and offers sobering prospects for the remainder of the Xi Jinping era. -- David Shambaugh, The George Washington University and The Brookings Institution Godemont is a wise China specialist with historical perspective. He analyzes how Xi Jinping, a powerful leader, is using his nation's leverage to lead a nation with strong global interests, no allies, and a huge economy with slowing growth. -- Ezra Vogel, emeritus, Harvard University

A very thoughtful, witty, enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, and easy-to-read overview of today's China. -- Marc Lanteigne, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs This is a great synthesis and brilliant analysis of Chinese politics that includes a very stimulating prospective section. -- Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Hong Kong Baptist University Godemont is a wise China specialist with historical perspective. He analyzes how Xi Jinping, a powerful leader, is using his nation's leverage to lead a nation with strong global interests, no allies, and a huge economy with slowing growth. -- Ezra Vogel, emeritus, Harvard University

A very thoughtful, witty, enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, and easy-to-read overview of today's China. -- Marc Lanteigne, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs This is a great synthesis and brilliant analysis of Chinese politics that includes a very stimulating prospective section. -- Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Hong Kong Baptist University

Contemporary China: Between Mao and Market belongs in current events, China affairs and political science collections alike as it provides an overview of modern Chinese society from an international scholar who narrows the focus to the country's last few decades of events. From its changing policies (both internally and externally) to the most recent events affecting its foreign policy and relationships, chapters offer many behind-the-scenes insights into how decisions are made, the state of political and social reforms and sentiments, and what's really happening in modern China. The result is a handbook designed to serve as a discussion point, with Europe's leading China expert providing a hard-hitting assessment of where the nation has been and where it's heading, and why. * Midwest Book Review * A very thoughtful, witty, enjoyable, intellectually stimulating, and easy-to-read overview of today's China. -- Marc Lanteigne, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs This is a great synthesis and brilliant analysis of Chinese politics that includes a very provocative prospective section. -- Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Hong Kong Baptist University Sometimes there are decisive turning points in nations' histories. In this incisive and insightful volume Francois Godement, Europe's leading China expert, focuses on the short three-year period when China began to display a harder edge internally and externally. His analysis illuminates this `new normal' and offers sobering prospects for the remainder of the Xi Jinping era. -- David Shambaugh, The George Washington University and The Brookings Institution Godemont is a wise China specialist with historical perspective. He analyzes how Xi Jinping, a powerful leader, is using his nation's leverage to lead a nation with strong global interests, no allies, and a huge economy with slowing growth. -- Ezra Vogel, emeritus, Harvard University

Author Information

François Godement is professor of political science at Sciences Po, director of the Asia program of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and a non-resident senior associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His English-language books are The New Asian Renaissance and Downsizing Asia.

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