Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject broadly examines China's attempts to modernise in the wake of the Western impact last century. It will have a political economy emphasis and explore both some key historical debates and the various development strategies pursued in China since 1949. The question of why China failed to have an industrial revolution before Europe despite leading in many of the preconditions, is broached. Whether the impact of imperialism promoted or retarded Chinese development is also explored. Critical examination of the Soviet-inspired First Five Year Plan, the `Maoist' programs of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, and the various gyrations of the post-Mao `four modernisations' constitute the main body of the subject. Changes in how modernisation is defined as well as how it is to be attained will be constant themes.
Assessment Essay (4500 words): 60% + Examination (3 hours): 0%