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.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Marc Blecher moves ahead of the introductory texts and general surveys by providing four analytical approaches to understanding China's realities.He then leaves the others far behind by proposing that China is a new type of political regime. He carries the reader along, whether student, observer or specialist,by the sheer excitement of his presentation. A distinctive achievement." — Robert Benewick, Emeritus Professor of Politics, University of Sussex
(Robert Benewick )
"The best textbooks combine scope with more than a dash of 'attitude.' Marc Blecher's China Against the Tides is just that sort of effort. Blecher masterfully interprets China's turbulent 20th century and points readers toward questions that will bedevil China's leaders for years to come.History, politics, social and economic change, international relations: it's all here, deftly woven into a compelling narrative that also has real analytical bite." —Kevin J. O'Brien, Alann P. Bedford Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science,University of California-Berkeley, and editor of Popular Protest in China (Harvard, 2008)
“Marc Blecher moves ahead of the introductory texts and general surveys by providing four analytical approaches to understanding China's realities.He then leaves the others far behind by proposing that China is a new type of political regime. He carries the reader along, whether student, observer or specialist,by the sheer excitement of his presentation. A distinctive achievement.” — Robert Benewick, Emeritus Professor of Politics, University of Sussex
(, )
"The best textbooks combine scope with more than a dash of 'attitude.' Marc Blecher's China Against the Tides is just that sort of effort. Blecher masterfully interprets China's turbulent 20th century and points readers toward questions that will bedevil China's leaders for years to come. History, politics, social and economic change, international relations: it's all here, deftly woven into a compelling narrative that also has real analytical bite." —Kevin J. O'Brien, Alann P. Bedford Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science,University of California-Berkeley, and editor of Popular Protest in China (Harvard, 2008) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
(Robert Benewick )
"The best textbooks combine scope with more than a dash of 'attitude.' Marc Blecher's China Against the Tides is just that sort of effort. Blecher masterfully interprets China's turbulent 20th century and points readers toward questions that will bedevil China's leaders for years to come.History, politics, social and economic change, international relations: it's all here, deftly woven into a compelling narrative that also has real analytical bite." —Kevin J. O'Brien, Alann P. Bedford Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science,University of California-Berkeley, and editor of Popular Protest in China (Harvard, 2008)
"In this analysis of Chinese politics and society from the Chinese Revolution to the present, Blecher argues that China has been characterized by a remarkable tendency and ability to 'move against the tides' (borrowing a phrase of Mao Zedong's), whether these be the tides of global developments or the tides of its own history. He examines China in four analytical contexts: the ability of China to reinvent itself against the forces of its own long history; the unique aspects of its form of state socialism; China's ability to retain a commitment to developmental goals related to life expectancy, literacy rates, and economic equality while still spurring remarkable economic growth; and China's adoption of elements of capitalism without getting 'swept up in the worldwide tide of liberal capitalism.'" -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.
“Marc Blecher moves ahead of the introductory texts and general surveys by providing four analytical approaches to understanding China's realities.He then leaves the others far behind by proposing that China is a new type of political regime. He carries the reader along, whether student, observer or specialist,by the sheer excitement of his presentation. A distinctive achievement.” — Robert Benewick, Emeritus Professor of Politics, University of Sussex
(, )
"The best textbooks combine scope with more than a dash of 'attitude.' Marc Blecher's China Against the Tides is just that sort of effort. Blecher masterfully interprets China's turbulent 20th century and points readers toward questions that will bedevil China's leaders for years to come. History, politics, social and economic change, international relations: it's all here, deftly woven into a compelling narrative that also has real analytical bite." —Kevin J. O'Brien, Alann P. Bedford Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science,University of California-Berkeley, and editor of Popular Protest in China (Harvard, 2008) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
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.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
In general a good book,
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This review is from: China Against the Tides, 3rd Ed.: Restructuring through Revolution, Radicalism and Reform (Paperback)
In general this is a good text book for teaching undergraduate level Chinese politics. I did find that some of the points in the book are bit biased, but it is less misleading as some of the other text books published in this field.
2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Maoist View of China's Economic Development,
By Alexander Rea (Mt. Carmel, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: China Against the Tides: Restructuring through Revolution, Radicalism and Reform (Paperback)
The author's admiration for Mao and his centrally-planned socialist state comes through on almost every page of this tome. With barely concealed dismay Professor Blecher describes the creation of a bourgoise class in the People's Republic of China today as if it were a regrettable development, and yearns for the good old days when half a billion dirt-poor Chinese were scratching out their fulfilling existence as farmers in rural communes. Better that everyone be equally poor and hungry, apparently, than permit an unequal distribution of wealth in which a substantial portion of the population enjoys better clothing and food, better homes, better health care and more personal freedom. It is a mystery to Professor Belcher why Chinese workers are not rising up to demonstrate against their higher income levels.The mystery to me is why a 260-page paperback should cost $45 or more, but Professor Blecher is doing his part for equal distribution of wealth by making this book a Required Text in his classes every quarter.
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