Reviews
A new interpretation of the Chinese party-state-shows the advantage that derives from a comparative theorist looking at the Chinese system., 'There is no lack of scholars and pundits abroad who tell us that dictatorship in China is for the greater good. In a timely and engagingly written book, Stein Ringen systematically demolishes all the components of this claim.' --Frank Dikötter, University of Hong Kong, Mr. Ringen explodes this favorite propaganda slogan [that Beijing has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty] even further and does so with the fresh eyes he promises., This is an excellent book which asks important questions about China's future. In a lively and persuasive manner, the author vividly analyzes key data in a comparative and theoretical manner. Far and away the best introduction to how the CCP dictatorship works., 'China is a complex country, and there is a range of reasonable interpretations of its political system. Professor Ringen's interpretation is different than my own, but China watchers need to engage with his thought-provoking and carefully argued assessme, 'There is no lack of scholars and pundits abroad who tell us that dictatorship in China is for the greater good. In a timely and engagingly written book, Stein Ringen systematically demolishes all the components of this claim.' --Frank Dikötter, University, There is no lack of scholars and pundits abroad who tell us that dictatorship in China is for the greater good. In a timely and engagingly written book, Stein Ringen systematically demolishes all the components of this claim., 'A new interpretation of the Chinese party-state--shows the advantage that derives from a comparative theorist looking at the Chinese system.' --Tony Saich, Harvard University, A new interpretation of the Chinese party-state--shows the advantage that derives from a comparative theorist looking at the Chinese system., 'This is an excellent book which asks important questions about China's future. In a lively and persuasive manner, the author vividly analyses key data in a comparative and theoretical manner. Far and away the best introduction to how the CCP dictatorship, 'This is an excellent book which asks important questions about China's future. In a lively and persuasive manner, the author vividly analyses key data in a comparative and theoretical manner. Far and away the best introduction to how the CCP dictatorship works.' --Edward Friedman, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 'China is a complex country, and there is a range of reasonable interpretations of its political system. Professor Ringen's interpretation is different than my own, but China watchers need to engage with his thought-provoking and carefully argued assessment. If current trends of repression intensify, less pessimistic analysts will need to recognise that Ringen's analysis may have been prescient.' --Daniel A. Bell, Tsinghua University, 'Stein Ringen shows how the Chinese state has used both fear and material inducements to build a "controlocracy" of a size and complexity unprecedented in world history. Perfect as a dictatorship, but brutal, destructive, and wasteful. The author's encyclopedic understanding of his topic is based on a mastery of relevant scholarship and is delivered in clear, no-nonsense prose that bows to no one. Ideal as a textbook.' --Perry Link, University of California, Riverside, 'Stein Ringen shows how the Chinese state has used both fear and material inducements to build a "controlocracy" of a size and complexity unprecedented in world history. Perfect as a dictatorship, but brutal, destructive, and wasteful. The author's encycl, Ringen provides a wealth of information regarding Chinese leadership and policies in a style that doesn't assume prior knowledge, thereby making it accessible to a wide range of readers interested in the region.Library Journal
