The Rise of China in the Global Economy: Poverty·Politics·Power·Production·Pollution

This book examines how China has emerged from economic ruin to become one of the world’s economic giants. This vast nation has shaken off the legacy of old-style communism, to rise to a position that threatens the existing world order. China appears to be driving the world economy, and is having far-reaching effects on the economies of every other nation. It’s the country of the moment, but whether the country can sustain its spectacular economic transformation, and join the club of advanced economies, remains to be seen.

For China’s citizens, economic growth has brought about rising living standards, but the coastal provinces have enjoyed far more of the riches than the interior. The result is that China has lost its status of being one of the most equal places in the world. Furthermore, despite the economic liberalisation policies of the ruling Communist Party, secrecy and censorship still prevail in the country, meaning far less political freedom for the country’s 1.35 billion people. To add to their woes, China’s obsession with economic growth has been to the detriment of its own environment, and in many cases the health of its citizens.

It will be of relevance to anyone with an interest in the emergence of new economic powers and the globalisation of the world economy.