After nearly three decades of rapid economic development, China is now a major power whose actions can significantly affect other countries, from America to Zimbabwe. As a result, China Studies has grown exponentially. In particular, there is a growing interest in studies of Chinese politics, not least because of the considerable uncertainties that remain over the country’s future political direction.

This new Routledge title is a comprehensive collection of the best classic and cutting-edge scholarship. Volume I examines policy-making and policy implementation and includes analyses of élite politics, central–local relations, government reform, and bureaucratic behaviour. Volume II explores political economy, including issues such as property rights, the management of foreign investment, reform of state-owned enterprises, and financial reform. Volume III brings together the best political analysis of social problems such as unemployment, the rural–urban income gap, the inadequate provision of social welfare, the exploitation of migrant workers, and new public-health challenges. The final volume of the collection focuses on democratization and is organized around themes such as political reform, the development of civil society, political participation, and political culture.

Politics of Modern China is fully indexed and has a comprehensive introduction, newly written by the editors, which places the material in its historical and intellectual context. In addition to the general introduction, there is a thematic introduction to each volume.