
Advanced Introduction to Chinese Law
Donald Clarke(Author)
Edward Elgar Publishing
Published on 15. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-1-80220-002-7 (ISBN)
Description
Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.
This Advanced Introduction provides an essential overview of the Chinese legal system, situating its institutions within the wider political framework. By examining the motivations and roles of key actors such as the police, prosecutors and judges, Donald Clarke presents crucial insights into current events.
Key Features:
Highlights the influence of rank within the Chinese legal and political system
Details various sources of law and their differing degrees of binding authority
Explores foundational fields including administrative, criminal, tort and land law
Illustrates how political and stability concerns can take precedence over law in Chinese court rulings
Evaluates the distinct internal logic of Chinese law and its social and political function
The Advanced Introduction to Chinese Law is highly beneficial for legal scholars and students interested in Chinese law and authoritarian legality. It is also relevant to those in numerous fields of modern China studies - including economics, political science and sociology - looking to deepen their understanding of the Chinese legal system.
This Advanced Introduction provides an essential overview of the Chinese legal system, situating its institutions within the wider political framework. By examining the motivations and roles of key actors such as the police, prosecutors and judges, Donald Clarke presents crucial insights into current events.
Key Features:
Highlights the influence of rank within the Chinese legal and political system
Details various sources of law and their differing degrees of binding authority
Explores foundational fields including administrative, criminal, tort and land law
Illustrates how political and stability concerns can take precedence over law in Chinese court rulings
Evaluates the distinct internal logic of Chinese law and its social and political function
The Advanced Introduction to Chinese Law is highly beneficial for legal scholars and students interested in Chinese law and authoritarian legality. It is also relevant to those in numerous fields of modern China studies - including economics, political science and sociology - looking to deepen their understanding of the Chinese legal system.
Reviews / Votes
'Professor Clarke's book is a tour de force at two levels. Its precisely rendered detail makes it a superb reference work, while its shrewd, no-nonsense analyses of what Chinese law actually is and how it works make it ideal for teaching and for the non-specialist reader.' -- Perry Link, Princeton University and University of California at Riverside, USA 'Donald Clarke provides a comprehensive look and provocative interpretation of the Chinese legal system, showing how it functions as part of the overall Chinese political system. Snapshots of key -- actors illuminate how the system functions at the grass roots. Hard-hitting and infused with a realistic human dimension, this book is highly recommended.'- Barry Naughton, University of California, San Diego, USA 'One of the West's most distinguished and respected scholars of Chinese law, Donald Clarke draws on his years of experience to write a book that is a model of clarity in thought and expression. It succinctly explains how China's legal system works, dispensing with the easy cliches that often dominate. At a time when too many in our societies focus only on China's external role - its military, foreign policy, or economic impact - Clarke offers us a guide to the inside of this formidable machine.' -- Ian Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, founder of the China Unofficial Archives 'In my Chinese law class, I require every student to engage seriously with the work of Don Clarke. You should do the same! As with all his scholarship, this new volume is enormously learned, deeply insightful, thoroughly original, and wonderfully provocative. Agree or disagree, you will be much better for reading it.' -- William P. Alford, Harvard Law School, USAMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80220-002-7 (9781802200027)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Donald Clarke, Professor of Law Emeritus, George Washington University, USA
Content
Contents
Preface
1 Introduction to the Chinese Legal System
2 Historical background to modern Chinese legal
institutions
3 Political background to the Chinese legal system
4 Key actors in the Chinese legal system
5 Lawmaking and sources of law
6 The Constitution
7 Administrative law
8 Criminal law and procedure
9 Tort Law
10 Land law
11 China and international law
12 Conclusion
Index
Preface
1 Introduction to the Chinese Legal System
2 Historical background to modern Chinese legal
institutions
3 Political background to the Chinese legal system
4 Key actors in the Chinese legal system
5 Lawmaking and sources of law
6 The Constitution
7 Administrative law
8 Criminal law and procedure
9 Tort Law
10 Land law
11 China and international law
12 Conclusion
Index