Understanding the Chinese Economies

Rongxing Guo, Regional Science Association of China (RSAC), Peking University, Beijing

China's economic growth has been more robust in some regions than others. In a country as large as China, examinations of regional differences can provide a viable way to learn about the economy as a whole. Rongxing Guo provides a systematic introduction to the economies of China by describing their external and internal drivers and by placing them within geopolitical and even socio-cultural boundaries. His pairings of case studies and empirical techniques reveal a rich, deep appreciation of the growth process and of interactions between key factors. This book delves more deeply into issues surrounding the economy than other books, offering a unique and important perspective that many will find useful. Covering history and administrative structures, unique economic features, some domestic economic issues, and international economic engagement, it describes an often inaccessible perspective with nuances all students of China will find valuable

Audience
For second courses on the Chinese enconomy. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students studying international trade, macroeconomics, and development economics.

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Hardbound, 310 Pages

Published: August 2012

Imprint: Academic Press

ISBN: 978-0-12-397826-4

Reviews

"Guos book combines the broad brush strokes of an introductory text with rich detail on the complexities of modern China. The book is a comprehensive guide to the changes that have transformed the Chinese economy during the reform era."
--Eric Thun, University of Oxford

1 A Brief History of China
1.1 The origins of the nation
1.2 Rise and fall of the empire
1.3 China in the new millennium
1.4 Summary
Case study 1: Why the Yellow river is important
Suggested reading
2 Spatial and Administrative Divisions
2.1 Administrative divisions
2.2 Great regions
2.3 Geographical belts
2.4 Southern and Northern parts
2.5 Ethno-cultural areas
2.6 Summary
Case study 2: Who owns Lake Weishan?
Suggested reading
3 The Foundation of the Chinese Economy (I)
3.1 Background
3.2 Natural resources
33 Energy production and consumption
3.4 Environmental situation
3.5 Chinese environmental policy
3.6 Summary
Case study 3: Should Chinese legislation be revised?
Suggested reading
4 The Foundation of the Chinese Economy (II)
4.1 Population
4.2 Labor force
4.3 Education
4.4 Cultural diversity
4.5 Summary
Case study 4: Age, gender, education and earnings
Suggested reading
5 Political Economic Systems in Transition
5.1 Party versus state
5.2 Plan and market
5.3 Employment
5.4 Production and ownership
5.5 Public finance
5.6 Banking
5.7 External relations
5.8 Summary
Case study 5: System dynamics - a feedback model
Suggested reading
6 Understanding Chinese Economic Reform
6.1 A brief narrative
6.2 Interest groups and stakeholders
6.3 Radical reform: the (un)successful cases
6.4 Gradual/partial reform: the (un)successful cases
6.5 Whither Chinese-style reform?
6.6 Summary
Case study 6: How radicals and conservatives collude?
Suggested reading
7 Economic Growth and Regional Differences
7.1 About the statistical data
7.2 Macroeconomic performance
7.3 Factors contributing to Chinas growth
7.4 Regional economic disparity
7.5 Poverty and social security
7.6 Summary
Case study 7: Similar initial conditions, varied results
Suggested reading
8 Income Distribution and Social Justice
8.0 Study goals
8.1 Chinas growth performance
8.2 Real living standards
8.3 Measuring income inequality
8.4 Inequality: causes and consequences
8.5 Poverty and social security
8.6 Summary
Case study 8: A tale of two companies in transition
Suggested reading
9 Spatial Economics and Development Strategy
9.1 Comparative advantage index
9.2 Spatial economic separation
9.3 Chinas search for spatial integration
9.4 Regional development strategy
9.5 Summary
Case study 9: Fighting for rainfalls?
Suggested reading
10 Industrialization and Technological Progress
10.1 Chinas efforts on industrialization
10.2 Post-reform industrialization
10.3 A comparative analysis
10.4 Technological progress
10.5 Summary
Case study 10: Technological and economic leapfrogging
Suggested reading
11 International Economic Engagement
11.1 Historical review
11.2 Foreign direct investment
11.3 Foreign trade
11.4 A quantitative analysis
11.5 Summary
Case study 11: Cultural influences on foreign trade
Suggested reading
12 The Greater China Area: Retrospect and Prospect
12.1 Historical evolution
12.2 Social and economic differences
12.3 Complementary conditions
12.4 Cross-Strait economic relations
12.5 Future perspective
Case study 12: Overseas Chinese economics
Suggested reading

Understanding the Chinese Economies

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