Unparalleled Reforms: China's Rise, Russia's Fall, and the Interdependence of Transition

by Christopher Marsh Baylor University

Overview

The reforms of the Soviet and Chinese communist regimes were unparalleled-both in the radical, precedent-setting reforms attempted by the two countries and in the outcomes of these attempts. While the Soviet Union collapsed quickly in the midst of its reforms, more than a decade later China, the world's most populous country, still stands as a testament to the resilience of Communist rule. It is this phenomenon that Christopher Marsh explores in Unparalleled Reforms. Marsh goes beyond simply discussing the differing initial conditions, the sequencing of reform, and cultural differences to also consider the objectives and intentions of the policy makers and leaders that directed the reform processes and the interdependent nature of politics on the world stage. Unparalleled Reforms offers the reader a sophisticated understanding of the nature of political reform and develops a theoretical model that can account for commonly overlooked factors that affect political processes in all types of political systems. In a class all its own, this is an important work for scholars interested in comparative politics, international relations, economics, Asian studies, and Russian studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739112885
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/14/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.32(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Christopher Marsh is associate professor of political science and director of Asian studies at Baylor University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Russia's Past and China's Future
Chapter 2 Transitions, Interaction Effects, and Lesson-Drawing
Chapter 3 From Reform to Crisis
Chapter 4 Transition or Transformation?
Chapter 5 Learning from Your Comrade's Mistakes
Chapter 6 What Moscow Refuses to Learn from Beijing
Chapter 7 Transition, Lesson-Drawing, and Culture

Editorial Reviews

Marsh's account of the fall of the USSR is excellent. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Marsh's account of the fall of the USSR is excellent. Recommended.

CHOICE

Few scholars have been able to marshal the linguistic and research skills that Christopher Marsh has brought to bear on his comparative study of China and Russia. What did Beijing learn from Moscow's turbulent postcommunist years, and where will the ongoing transformation of Chinese politics and economy eventually lead? Marsh contends that analysts have looked at these countries in isolation for too long. In this brilliantly conceived and thoughtful study, Marsh explores the interaction effects of systemic change: How political leaders in China, the Soviet Union and now Russia have been acutely aware of what was happening in each other's states—even if, at times, they doggedly refused to draw the right lessons from what they observed.

Charles King

Christopher Marsh uniquely brings both Russian and Chinese language skills to this ambitious comparative study of the politics....Marsh presents many worthwhile insights on the transition processes in the two countries.

The China Journal - Robert F. Miller

Christopher Marsh uniquely brings both Russian and Chinese language skills to this ambitious comparative study of the politics....Marsh presents many worthwhile insights on the transition processes in the two countries.
— Robert F. Miller, The Australian National University

The China Journal

Marsh's account of the fall of the USSR is excellent. Recommended.

Choice