INTS 261-01, Government and Politics of China, Fall 2008

Abstract

Students in this course will learn about China’s political history and political culture; the effects of its geography on politics; China's traditional political system; the impact of the West on China; China’s political elites; the unique roles of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping; the exercise of political power by the Chinese Communist Party, the government, and the military; China’s legal system; the impact of economic growth on political change as well as problems it has created; China’s current leaders; China’s foreign policy; and China’s future. Several general themes will be pursued throughout this course: the uniqueness of China’s political history and political culture; China’s traditional role in the world viewed in comparison and in contrast to its recent and present role; the ―transitional‖ nature of the Chinese political system (from totalitarianism to authoritarianism); China’s successful economic development; the possibilities for the evolution of democracy; Communist Party rule without communism; and China as a new superpower.