Paradox of China’s Post-Mao Reforms

Merle Goldman was Professor of History, Emerita, at Boston University and Associate of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University. Roderick MacFarquhar was Leroy B. Williams Professor of History and Political Science, and Professor of Government, Harvard University.

It is not often that a collection of essays by academics can be read with profit by specialists and laity alike. But The Paradox of China’s Post-Mao Reforms is an important exception. In dealing with what will be the most fateful politico-economic relationship of the 21st century—that between the United States and mainland China—most of the contributors write in unjargoned English. There is no better introduction to the complexities—Taiwan, human rights, military expenditures, economic reforms, trade—of U.S.–China relations than this volume.

• Preface I. Introduction 1. Dynamic Economy, Declining Party-State Merle Goldman & Roderick MacFarquhar 2. China's Transition in Economic Perspective Barry Naughton II. Limited Political Reforms 3. Elite Politics Joseph Fewsmith 4. Party-Military Relations Paul H. B. Godwin 5. The National People's Congress Murray Scot Tanner 6. The Struggle over Village Elections Lianjiang Li & Kevin J. 0 'Brien 7. Mass Political Behavior in Beijing Tianjian Shi III. Fragmenting Society 8. The Changing Role of Workers Martin King Whyte 9. Farmer Discontent and Regime Responses Thomas P. Bernstein 10. China's Floating Population Dorothy J. Solinger 11. The New Middle Class David S. G. Goodman 12. The Rise of Private Business Interests Kitten Paths 13. The Emergence of Politically Independent Intellectuals Merle Goldman 14. Crime, Corruption, and Contention Elizabeth J. Perry Conclusion 15. The "State of the State" Richard Baum & Alexei Shevchenko Notes Contributors