Tony Saich

The success or failure of China's development will impact not only its own citizens but also those of the world. China is widely recognized as a global actor on the world stage and no global challenge can be resolved without its participation. Thus, it is important to understand how the country is ruled and what the policy priorities are of the new leadership. Can China move to a more market-based economy, while controlling environmental degradation? Can it integrate hundreds of millions of new migrants into the urban landscape? The tensions between communist and capitalist identities continue to divide society as China searches for a path to modernization.

The People's Republic is now over sixty-five years old – an appropriate juncture at which to reassess the state of contemporary Chinese politics. In this substantially revised fourth edition and essential guide to the subject, Tony Saich delivers a thorough introduction to all aspects of politics and governance in post-Mao China, taking full account of the changes of the Eighteenth Party Congress and the Twelfth National People's Congress. Further, the rise of Xi Jinping to power and his policies are examined as are important policy areas such as urbanization and the fight against corruption.

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Saich, Tony:
A very good selection of essays that takes turns challenging Seldon’s Yenan Way. Originally essays from a conference, each essay looks at the development of the CCP prior to its victory in 1949. One challenges Seldon’s assessment that the Yenan way was exported across China. It argues that the CCP was very adaptable to geographic variations, including allying with local landlords for support. They do emphasize that the socio-economic conditions were key in mobilizing the peasantry, but the response was varied. They minimize the politics within the CCP, suggesting that the program was less important than what it was overthrowing.

Another aspect is the overemphasis on the Long March. While the Long March was important, it overlooks the Three-Year War of partisans left behind to occupy GMD forces. It also discusses how the CCP courted intellectuals in Jin-Sha-Ji, whereas it had a harsh rectification campaign in Yenan. In fact, several authors believe Seldon minimized the coercive nature of the rectification, preferring to emphasize peasant cooperation.

One large theme is that the CCP had a decentralized development. Seldon overemphasizes Mao and Yunan to the exclusion of other regions and leaders. The authors of these essays argue that Mao gradually centralized CCP decision making, so that by the early 1940’s, the system was in place for personal ruling by Mao after the success of the Revolution.… (más)