The Rise of Modern China [5th Edition]

Chinese communism at 45 is an unprecedented mixture of semi-capitalism and Leninist orthodoxy, the former generating an economic boom and the latter ensuring a stable political order. Will economic affluence inevitably lead to political change, bringing on yet another communist collapse? Having possessed for decades the greatest population on earth, and now controlling what will shortly be the planet's largest economy, China is a nation that commands the respect, awe, and vested interest of an entire globe. The long path leading to the crossroads at which she now stands constitutes one of the most complex and unlikely chronicles in the history of civilization. From traditional, xenophopic empire to modern economic powerhouse, China's epic story since the seventeenth century is brought vividly to life in this latest edition of Immanuel C.Y. Hsu's monumental survey. Updated to incorporate the tumultuous events of the late '80s and early '90s, this classic text recounts in detail the response of China's leadership to the collapse of European communism, illustrates the unorthodox methods behind the nation's recent economic resurgence, and further analyzes the effects of the violent crackdown at Tienanmen Square. Taiwan's transition to constitutional democracy is also discussed, as well as the possible, and very problematic, reunification with the mainland. Unmatched in depth and comprehensiveness, this extraordinary work continues, as no other text can, to bring modern China's fascinating past into focus for students of her history, politics, and culture.