China and Globalization：The Social, Economic and Political Transformation of Chinese Society

For undergraduate students and general readers, Guthrie (business, George Washington U.) examines the reforms driving the economic growth in China since 1979 and the social, cultural, and political factors fostering the change. He demonstrates how the changes have been more dramatic than people realize and argues that reforms have been successful because of state involvement, that democracy in China is inevitable, and that these reforms have been political, cultural, and global processes. He draws on his research with Chinese managers and officials, managers of Western multinationals, and American politicians, in addition to academic research, to give an accessible sense of influential forces. He explains the pre-reform economy and the steps taken to dismantle it; the transformation of the industrial command economy and rural farm economy; how social institutions that define Chinese society are changing; China's emergence as a global economy; pollution, energy usage, and China's emergence in the area of renewable energy; how these economic changes are affecting individuals, such as in the areas of class, wealth, education, gender, and migration; and the rule of law. Parts of the book were previously published elsewhere. Reformatted with a larger page design, this edition has been updated to reflect new developments since 2010 and includes new case studies. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Doug Guthrie is Dean of the School of Business at The George Washington University.