NS4024 Political Economy of China

This course explores how state, society, and politics impinge on the Chinese economy in its transition from planned to market economy; and examines what political and economic adjustments China has to make as the country becomes increasingly integrated with the world economy. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Develop a basic understanding of how pre-modern China became the world's leading economy and then why it was surpassed by European economies.
• Understand the major elements of the planned economy developed under Mao Zedong.
• Explain why Deng Xiaoping decided to fundamentally shift China’s approach to developing its economy and focusing on “reform and opening.”
• Deepen understanding of how economic reforms affected the main areas of the Chinese economy, including agriculture, banking, finance, urban industry, and economic relations with other countries.
• Understand the new economic and political challenges that have developed as China has implemented reforms.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of the differing approaches to implementing economic reforms under Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping.
• Conduct original research on a topic on interest on China’s political economy.
• Assess the likely future trajectory of China’s economic growth.