China Under Reform

by Zhimin Lin

Overview

In 1976, at the death of its longtime leader Mao Zedong, China was in a state of economic stagnation and social chaos. Mao's radical policies and continual political campaigns, including the disastrous Cultural Revolution, had taken a heavy toll on the Chinese people.

By the end of the decade, however, a more moderate, pragmatic leadership under Deng Xiaoping had come to power and put China on a course to recovery. In the four decades since then, China's economic growth has been nothing short of amazing. China is now one of the world's leading manufacturing centers, and an estimated 400 million of its people have been lifted out of poverty. Still, problems remain. Among them are a growing gap in living standards between rural and urban areas, rampant corruption, and a repressive government that has resisted political reforms.

This volume provides a comprehensive view of China's historic reforms. It not only details what has been accomplished so far, but also offers a glimpse at what the future might hold for the world's most populous nation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781422221563
Publisher:	Mason Crest Publishers
Publication date:	09/28/2011
Series:	China: The Emerging Superpower Series
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	7.96(w) x 9.58(h) x 0.43(d)
Lexile:	1320L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

1 Overview: The Landscape of China's Reform 13

2 Changes in Rural China 25

3 Changes in Urban China 41

4 Reform and Social Changes 59

5 Political Reform 79

6 Reform and U.S.-China Relations 99

Chronology 106

Glossary 110

Further Reading 112

Internet Resources 113

Index 114

Editorial Reviews

At this time China appears to be in a period of rapid economic growth and concomitant social change. A nation of seemingly endless human resources, China has had a history of very limited democratization. In recent decades China's government has been under the direct control of the Communist Party. As such, China is a one party system that features a socialist perspective rather than a western democratic one. Nevertheless, a series of reforms have occurred since the death of Mao Tse-tung that have led to China's emergence as a powerful force to be reckoned with. In China Under Reform readers are provided a well-schooled look at the political, economic, and social changes that have been fostered by the Chinese government across the last three decades. Written with a deft touch this volume in the Mason Crest "China" series is both lucid and informative. Author Zhimin Lin does an excellent job of describing both the advancements and problem areas in modern Chinese society. For youngsters interested in China or those researching broad areas of that nation's social organization, this book is a resource that will be helpful. 2006, Mason Crest Publishers, Ages 12 up.
—Greg M. Romaneck

Children's Literature