What legacies have previous reformers like Zhao Ziyang left to today’s China? Does China have feasible political alternatives to today’s repressive ‘market Leninism’ and corrupt ‘state capitalism’? Does Zhao’s legacy indicate an alternative to the past and for the future?

For those who are familiar with the development of Chinese politics since the reform years, Zhao is now widely regarded as a major architect of the nation’s profound transition. His contributions to China’s post-Mao development are rich and multi faceted, including those on rural and urban economic reforms extending to accountable governance, liberal policies concerning domestic affairs and China’s foreign relations.

Featuring contributions from leading experts in the field such as Richard Baum and Xiaonong Cheng this book explores the historical development of China’s political reform issues, and how his political legacies are relevant to China’s political development since the 1980s to the future. Using recently translated recollection articles by veteran reformers who worked with Zhao in the 1980s, like Du Runsheng, An Zhiwen, Li Rui, Bao Tong, Zhao Ziyang and China's Political Future is a valuable contribution for students and researchers interested in the Chinese politics, Asian politics and political development in Asia.

Contents

1. Introduction Guoguang Wu and Helen Lansdowne Part I: Zhao Ziyang’s Reform Legacies 2. Zhao Ziyang’s Visions: Victims of Political Turmoil or Seeds of a Democratic Future? Hongying Wang 3. Democracy and Rule of Law in Zhao Ziyang’s Political Reform Guoguang Wu 4. Inaugurating China’s Information Age: Zhao Ziyang’s Visionary Role in China’s Information Revolution Jiabo Liu 5. Zhao Ziyang and the Evolution of Grassroots Liberal MovementsKate Xiao Zhou 6. "What If Zhao Had Tried to Stay?" A Review of Zong Fengming, Ruanjinzhong de tanhua Perry Link Pahina’s Political Future 7. Zhao Ziyang and China’s "Soft Authoritarian" Alternative Richard Baum 8. Neoauthoritarianism, Urban Bourgeoisie, and China’s Democratization Charles Burton 9. Back from Honeymoon to Political Tension: Reform Politics from Zhao Ziyang to Hu Jintao Xiaonong Cheng 10. Zhao Ziyang’s Contributions to Reform in Historical Perspective Willy Wo-lap Lam 11. Conclusion: Zhao Ziyang and China’s Political Transition from Communism Guoguang Wu

Author Bio

Guoguang Wu holds the Chair in China and Asia-Pacific Relations at the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where he also teaches in both departments of Political Science and History.

Helen Lansdowne is Assistant Director of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) at the University of Victoria.