Bruce Gilley is a leading international scholar on the comparative and international politics of Asia and China and an expert on questions of democracy, state building, and political legitimacy. He is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the director of the doctoral program in public affairs and policy in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. His books include The Right to Rule and China's Democratic Future. His research articles have appeared in journals such as Comparative Political Studies, Environmental Politics, and Political Science Quarterly. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Democracy and the Journal of Contemporary China.

'In an era in which social science research is often narrow and inaccessible, Bruce Gilley has produced a refreshing, ambitious and innovative book on the nature of Asian politics. Gilley demonstrates an Asian model of governance that emphasizes the central and dominant role of state power and its continually changing relationship to society via the social goods provided by the state. It is sure to spark spirited and contentious debate on the distinctive character and shape of Asian politics.' Kanishka Jayasuriya, Director, Indo-Pacific Governance Research Centre (IPGRC), University of Adelaide

• 1. Introduction; 2. State and society; 3. Development; 4. Democracy; 5. Governance; 6. Public policy.

Bruce Gilley is a leading international scholar on the comparative and international politics of Asia and China and an expert on questions of democracy, state building, and political legitimacy. He is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the director of the doctoral program in public affairs and policy in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. His books include The Right to Rule and China's Democratic Future. His research articles have appeared in journals such as Comparative Political Studies, Environmental Politics, and Political Science Quarterly. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Democracy and the Journal of Contemporary China.

'In an era in which social science research is often narrow and inaccessible, Bruce Gilley has produced a refreshing, ambitious and innovative book on the nature of Asian politics. Gilley demonstrates an Asian model of governance that emphasizes the central and dominant role of state power and its continually changing relationship to society via the social goods provided by the state. It is sure to spark spirited and contentious debate on the distinctive character and shape of Asian politics.' Kanishka Jayasuriya, Director, Indo-Pacific Governance Research Centre (IPGRC), University of Adelaide

• 1. Introduction; 2. State and society; 3. Development; 4. Democracy; 5. Governance; 6. Public policy.

Bruce Gilley is a leading international scholar on the comparative and international politics of Asia and China and an expert on questions of democracy, state building, and political legitimacy. He is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the director of the doctoral program in public affairs and policy in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University. His books include The Right to Rule and China's Democratic Future. His research articles have appeared in journals such as Comparative Political Studies, Environmental Politics, and Political Science Quarterly. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Democracy and the Journal of Contemporary China.

'In an era in which social science research is often narrow and inaccessible, Bruce Gilley has produced a refreshing, ambitious and innovative book on the nature of Asian politics. Gilley demonstrates an Asian model of governance that emphasizes the central and dominant role of state power and its continually changing relationship to society via the social goods provided by the state. It is sure to spark spirited and contentious debate on the distinctive character and shape of Asian politics.' Kanishka Jayasuriya, Director, Indo-Pacific Governance Research Centre (IPGRC), University of Adelaide

• 1. Introduction; 2. State and society; 3. Development; 4. Democracy; 5. Governance; 6. Public policy.