"A wonderful starting point for anyone seeking to understand the politics and society of China today."—Chen Shen, American Journal of Chinese Studies

Praise for the previous edition:

"An ideal introductory textbook.... Larus' book is a unique contribution to the field of Chinese politics." —Jay Goulding, Pacific Affairs

"A fine introduction to major topics and issues in the study of China's recent past, present, and possible futures.... The overall organization of this book is intuitive and practical, providing a sound framework around which to organize a course." —Charlotte Lee, The China Journal

"An impressive textbook.... It is comprehensive, interprets the evolution of Chinese politics ... in an incisive and convincing manner, links the present to the past better than most such books, and (last but not least for a textbook) is quite readable." —Cal Clark, American Journal of Chinese Studies

"Highly recommended."—Choice

This acclaimed introduction to China's politics and policies has been extensively revised and thoroughly updated to not only focus on the Xi Jinpeng era, but also to be even more accessible to students.

Elizabeth Larus concisely captures the dynamism of Chinese politics. From local politics to the judicial system, from minority issues to defense policy, from the Belt and Road Initiative to global political and economic statecraft, she provides a rich, thought-provoking analysis of the forces and facets of political, social, and economic change.