China since 1949 (Seminar Studies) - Softcover

Benson, Linda

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408237695 ISBN 13: 9781408237694

Publisher: Routledge, 2011

Synopsis

One of the most remarkable stories of the last century is the emergence of China as a modern economic giant, poised at the beginning of the 21st century to become a great world power. China has embraced the technological advances of the late 20th century and has provided new opportunities for millions of Chinese to improve their lives. While problems have accompanied this transformation, China's future holds unprecedented prosperity for 1.3 billion Chinese and greatly enhanced international status for the government that is making this possible.

This new textbook on the People's Republic focuses on the changes which have swept through China for the past half-century. As well as providing a coherent narrative of the major events in China's recent past, China Since 1949 also provides an integrated treatment of:

   -  the history of women's experiences under the communist regime
    - the Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of ethnic minorities within China's borders and the rise of nationalism    among the Mongols, Uighurs and Tibetans
    - the regional differences within China and the resulting tensions
    - the social implications of the Chinese Communist Party's attempts to control every facet of Chinese people's lives.

The accompanying documents providing primary source materials, the Chronology and Who's Who of key figures help to ensure that this is an indispensable text for students studying modern China.

About this title

About the Author

Linda Benson is Professor of History at Oakland University, Michigan.

From the Back Cover

China s rise to global prominence is one of the most remarkable stories of our time. Millions of urban Chinese today enjoy lifestyles unthinkable in the days of Chairman Mao s communist regime, and the country s leadership has made continuing economic growth their primary goal, helping to transform China into a modern world power.

Rapid change has also created tensions within Chinese society: a new middle class and a small, wealthy elite contrast with a far larger number who feel they have yet to benefit from the new economy. Corruption and abuse of power have emerged as a potent source of discontent across China s social divide.

In this fully revised second edition, China s ince 1949 traces key events from the Maoist era through the Reform period to the present day.

The book:

• Explains the forces behind China s rapid growth, and its domestic and international impact.
• Examines issues of international concern, such as China s human rights record and international relations, balanced against the domestic pressures that influence China s behaviour on the global stage.
• Illustrates, through the use of world rankings, China s new position as a global economic power
• Includes two new chapters, covering contemporary society and political developments since 2000
• Incorporates new sections on Latin America and Africa, and updated material on Taiwan

Written in accessible and engaging prose, this fully updated edition of China s ince 1949 is a concise but comprehensive introduction to China s recent past.

Linda Benson is Professor of Chinese History at Oakland University, Michigan, and holds degrees from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Leeds. She is the author of a number of books, including China's Last Nomads: The History and Culture of China's Kazaks (1998) and Across China's Gobi: The Lives of Evangeline French, Mildred Cable, and Francesca French (2008).

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1408237695
• ISBN 13: 9781408237694
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 236