Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture

This is indeed a scholarly treatise and an instructive guide to the Peoples Republic of China. For those familiar with China's ancient culture and the Confucian wisdom that has woven into its history for the past two millennia, this book leaves behind hopes for the country's future, but also concern about its various challenges. Its breathtaking march of modernization has created unmitigated admiration and respect around the world, but with all that mounting power and progress, has China "arrived"? Read this book and you know it hasn't. You learn that China's national news service has been ranked as 163rd among 168 contestants. Mao's deleterious policies have never been repudiated, because the party leadership is too arteriosclerotic to express what their citizens have known for decades. For generations, the government and the party's leadership have lost all popular credibility. There are plenty of judges and attorneys, but only half of them have as much as a college degree and whatever their legal judgments may be, the Politburo has the last word. There is rampant corruption at all levels, which seems irreparable. China has seen up to 120,000 protest actions a year, many resulting from land grabbing without compensation and from Mafia-like corruption.The list of failures seems endless, even though Starr's data have been presented without ill will. You get the impression that even though the people have recovered amazingly well from Mao's ill-managed revolution they are still waiting for a second, final revolution that will complete the job. It would be one where the Chinese nation recovers its true, innermost nature, its heart-of-hearts, that clear-sighted wisdom inherent in a well-functioning society. If it happens it would involve the shedding of an outdated ideology, the creation of the rule of law, the freedom of information and many other wholesome steps.If you are unsure of Chinese potential, cast an eye on booming Taiwan and Hong Kong. Even in this country Orientals persistently demonstrate their highest ranking in academic and intellectual ratings. John Starr's analysis gives little hope for that kind of liberating evolution to occur in Mainland China in the near future. He is probably correct, but in my dreams I still prefer to regard China as a flower bud full of promise that, if we wait just a while longer, might burst open to display its beauty and enormous benefits.

An excellent, near-comprehensive guide to the state of China and it's ruling Communist Party, Starr attempts to neatly compile and analyse the problems facing both in the 1990s. Starr makes compelling arguments for many of China's difficulties, as well as it's promising points going into the 2000s. The writing is compelling and smooth, and the book is formatted in a way that opens up a natural progression through Chinese issues, starting with the most difficult to change, up to the most fickle and unpredictable. Well-argued, and broad in scope, "Understanding China" makes for an excellent introduction to the economic and political situation of the world's most populous country, despite its age in relation to the rapid change China is experiencing.Unfortunately, the argument feels biased against the CCP - although quite factual and honest about their shortcomings, especially in the turbulence following the 1989 Tienanmen Square Incident, he tends to be dismissive of their staying power and ability for reinvention. Many of his predictions lead to an outcome of collapse, but miss the opportunities for renewal in the party through internal coups and changing leadership, as well as the weight of the general concern for Chinese unity. However, hindsight is 20/20, and this book was written in an uneasy time for China, both externally and internally, and the tone captures that uneasiness well.

Understanding China by John Bryan Starr, now in it's 3rd Edition, is a must read for anyone embarking on a study of China or those just wishing for a general appreciation of a country that has become the world's ongoing 'story of the day'.China is huge in all respects. Physical size, demographics, social ills and a history and culture going back millennia. It's impact on the world, now and in the future, is immeasurable from both economic and world balance of power viewpoints. To ignore China is to do so at your own peril.No stone is left undisturbed, even if not fully overturned, in this well presented and well written book. Covering history, economics, culture, social issues, the environment and politics, it attempts, and succeeds, in introducing China to the reader in such a way that it would satisfy all levels, be it the curious, the budding student or the business person seeking a "one stop" overall view. It is by no means definitive and it does not seek to be. It is described by the author as a "Guide" and that it is. It will show you the path and highlight the sights but leaves you to decide on how far you will venture into the woods.The book is well supported by tables and maps without assailing and, more than likely, confusing the beginner to China with mounds of statistical data that can be pursued elsewhere if needs be.I personally could not recommend more highly this 'primer' that hopefully will entice you to a pursue further reading on this incredible country with its good, its' bad, its' ugly and its' beautiful.

This is an excellent, thorough and readable report on modern China. The author sets out the present (more or less, the book is about 10 years old) characteristics of China and places the modern nation in its social, political and economic historical context. Strongly recommended.

Its a decent book for someone who is looking for background on China. The section on the autotomous regions leaves out Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Tibet is touched on briefly in some chapters but not in depth. The information is a bit dated and this edition was printed in 2010.

Need it for a class. Very informative and easy to understand.

this book is seminal, for me at leastworth reading if you want to get to the picture behind the headlines.

Very interesting and usefull for my researches.I'll suggest everyone, with a solid background in this field, to read this book!

A bit out of date