China Against the Tides: Restructuring Through Revolution, Radicalism and Reform

This new edition argues that, in both Mao and Deng periods, China has evolved in ways quite different from the Soviet model and from other developing countries. Like its predecessor, the book's approach is interdisciplinary and comparative. Professor Blecher analyzes China by introducing appropriate theories and concepts from historical and political sociology, economic development and political science. He explores China from two comparative perspectives: developing countries (including the newly industrializing countries of East Asia) and historical state socialist regimes. The book's chapters cover: imperial collapse, republican failure and communist triumph; a chronological overview since 1949; the state and politics; socialism and society; rural political economy; urban political economy; China and the Pacific Rim; the crisis of reform; and the future of Chinese economic development and politics.

Marc Blecher, Ph.D., Professor of Politics and East Asian Studies, Department of Politics and East Asian Studies Program, Oberlin College.

Prof. Blecher specializes in Chinese politics, on which he has published five books and dozens of articles on local politics, popular participation, and political economy. He teaches about these subjects as well as Asian politics and political economy, Marxist theory, and comparative politics.