Red Capitalists in China: The Party, Private Entrepreneurs, and Prospects for Political Change [Paperback]

Bruce J. Dickson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521521432 | ISBN-13: 978-0521521437

Viewing the evolving relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and private entrepreneurs, this book examines the implications of recruiting entrepreneurs into the communist party. It has given rise to the label of "red capitalists." Although many foreign observers expect economic change to lead inevitably to political change in China, this book reveals that China's entrepreneurs are willing partners with the state; not an autonomous force in opposition to the state.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dickson presents a welcome addition to emerging studies of the relationship between the Party-state and the economy in post-Mao China.... Highly recommended." Choice

"Bruce Dickson is well known in Chinese area studies circles for his work over the last ten years on democratisation and the concept of civil society." Review of Political Economy, Jamie Morgan, The Open University in the North West, UK

"Short and concise, Dickson's monograph undoubtedly will inspire others to pursue issues raised by his arguments." China Review International, Lawrence C. Reardon, University of New Hampshire

Book Description

This book looks at the evolving relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and private entrepreneurs. Specifically, it examines the implications of recruiting entrepreneurs into the communist party, which has given rise to the label "red capitalists." Although many foreign observes expect that economic change will inevitably lead to political change in China, this book shows that China's entrepreneurs are willing partners with the state rather than an autonomous force in opposition to the state.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521521432
• ISBN-13: 978-0521521437
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,362,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Searching for efficacy, April 12, 2006

By 

suburban dissident - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Capitalists in China: The Party, Private Entrepreneurs, and Prospects for Political Change (Paperback)

Dickson's analysis of the rise of the entrepreneurial class, the expansion of privitization, and these factors' possibility for change provides and insightful consideration of capitalism vis-a-vis civil society in China. Though admittedly academic, this sociological examination on how the CCP and the rising capitalists interact and ultimately work to benefit one another. You will need some background in both sociology (or at least a vague understanding of what civil society is) and current Chinese trends. With these two things at your disposal, this book is rather informative.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book - If you are a scholar, February 1, 2009

By 

TvS - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Capitalists in China: The Party, Private Entrepreneurs, and Prospects for Political Change (Paperback)

You will either hate this book, or love it. If you do not like statistical data, its analysis, and empirical conclusion based on the former two, then this book is not for you.

Additionally, this book requires that you possess background knowledge in the subject, otherwise you will often find yourself lost.

However, if you are a scholar interested in the subject, you will love this book. I found this book to be an excellent tool in empirically showing the effects of Deng Xiaoping Thought and its subsequent implementation into Chinese policy. The author also does a good job in sticking to the data given, without making empty assumptions.

Every Modern China scholar must read this.

I gave this book 5 stars based on a scholarly view. If this review was based on a non-scholarly view, I would have to give it a 3.

7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, October 29, 2004

By 

Winston Kotzan (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Red Capitalists in China: The Party, Private Entrepreneurs, and Prospects for Political Change (Paperback)

This book is difficult to follow because it is written in the format of an academic student's report. Little background knowledge is given, so a person unfamiliar with Chinese politics could easily get lost. I felt more like I was reading a high school report put together primarily for the benefit of the author.

Unless you are very familiar with the Communist Party of China's organization, this book is not very good to start out with if you are interested in learning about China's new economy.