China’s Rise - Strength and
Fragility is the most penetrating and far-reaching contribution
to the literature on the state of the Chinese political economy from 1990 to
the present. Au Loong Yu provides the most thorough historical account of the
extent and nature of the transformation of the Chinese state into an
authoritarian capitalist government that serves the interest of its capitalist
class through pillaging the working class and poor majority. This book is
essential reading for all readers who seriously and soberly seek to understand
and grasp the tangible dynamics Chinese-style capitalism and working class
resistance to the despotic system.
Immanuel Ness, Brooklyn
College, City University of New York, Editor: International Encyclopedia of
Revolution and Protest, 1500 to the Present.
This collection of
essays on the People’s Republic of China brings a rare and much needed
perspective to the ever increasing literature on the rising star of the global
economy. Most of the essays are authored by Chinese Marxist critics of the
regime in Beijing. This ‘insider’ Marxist perspective translates into a
discussion of issues rarely covered in the existing literature, including a
special focus on the workers movement. Thus, China is seen not only as part of
the ‘globalisation from above’ through its integration in the global capitalist
economy, but also as part of the ‘globalisation from below’ that translates into
an international convergence of social movements. Very useful.
Gilbert Achcar, Professor at the School of Oriental
and African Studies (SOAS, University of London)
A collection of lucid and
enlightening essays. Au Loong Yu shows the potential of the theory of Karl Marx
– not to legitimize existing regimes but as a tool to analyze and criticize
capitalist class societies. He leaves no doubt that China has become capitalist
to the fullest extent – with the party bureaucracy as the new bourgeoisie. This
leads to old and new contradictions, not to the end of history.
Bodo Zeuner, Berlin,
professor in political science
A fascinating analysis of
contemporary struggles in China situated in a rich theoretical overview of
Maoism and class relations, as well as the country's position in the
international system. A powerful and provocative challenge to many
misconceptions on the Left that deserves to be widely read and debated.
Adam Hanieh, School of Oriental and African
Studies; editorial board member of the journal Historical Materialism.
