
The Revival of China's Entrepreneurial Class in Historical-Comparative Perspective
Prospects for a New Chinese Liberalism
Michael Drake(Author)
Lexington Books (Publisher)
Published on 14. October 2020
Book
Hardback
168 pages
978-1-7936-1997-6 (ISBN)
Description
The Revival of China's Entrepreneurial Class in Historical-Comparative Perspective: Prospects for a New Chinese Liberalism examines the evolution of China's entrepreneurial class and prospects for entrepreneurial-driven political institutional change. Michael Drake posits that decades of economic reforms and social transformation have illuminated a fundamental contradiction in contemporary China-a rule-by-law closed political system governing over an emergent entrepreneurial class requiring property protection-that requires resolution. Drake argues that the Chinese Communist Party has one of two choices: crush the entrepreneurial class, and with it, economic growth and the party's legitimacy, or cede to the entrepreneurs' demands for the rule of law and political representation. Drake's research shows the rise of liberal qualities-rationality, autonomy, property-law interests, political awareness, and political agency-among China's emergent entrepreneurial class. As such, Drake argues that this liberal trajectory, in conjunction with a lack of viable alternatives for the party, will translate into a new Chinese liberalism, and ultimately, political change.
Reviews / Votes
Drake, an independent scholar, asks whether the entrepreneurial class of China has come to resemble that of other economically developed nations. After introducing the research question and the development of a liberal (bourgeoisie) class in England and France in the first two chapters, he briefly treats the growth of business interests from the Sung Dynasty (c. 907) through the end of the Cultural Revolution (1976). The remaining substantive chapters examine how Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms advanced economic rationality and the autonomy of entrepreneurs; how predatory behavior of the Communist Party-state threatened property interests of business owners; and how business people interact with the state, i.e., whether they participate in the Communist Party, are active in business associations, or choose to leave the country or adapt to norms when challenged by corrupt practices. The author concludes that China is increasingly likely to experience "the emergence of a new Chinese liberalism and fundamental, entrepreneurial-driven, political institutional change" (p. 140). Other studies of capitalism in China are less optimistic, regarding censorship of the internet as encumbering democratization efforts. Comments from several business people whom Drake interviewed add interest to the study. Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals. * Choice Reviews * In this ground-breaking study, Michael Drake provides a comprehensive evaluation of China's entrepreneurs as members of a new economic and political class. In contrast to research that emphasizes China's political immobilism, Drake argues convincingly that this class can and will seek liberal transformation in coming years. As such, it provides an essential contribution to the debate on China's political future. -- David KerrMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 b/w illustrations;
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
406 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-7936-1997-6 (9781793619976)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

Michael Drake
The Revival of China's Entrepreneurial Class in Historical-Comparative Perspective
Prospects for a New Chinese Liberalism
E-Book
10/2020
1st Edition
Bloomsbury eBooks US
€95.99
Available for download

Michael Drake
The Revival of China's Entrepreneurial Class in Historical-Comparative Perspective
Prospects for a New Chinese Liberalism
E-Book
10/2020
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€95.99
Available for download
Person
Michael Drake is independent scholar.
Content
Chapter One: Introduction: The Search for a Renewed Chinese Liberalism
Chapter Two: Liberal Class Development in England and France
Chapter Three: Illiberal Class Development in China: 907-1976
Chapter Four: China's Private Entrepreneurs: Economic Rationality and Autonomy
Chapter Five: China's Private Entrepreneurs: State Predation and the Rise of Property-Law Interests
Chapter Six: China's Private Entrepreneurs: the Formation of Liberal Political Values?
Chapter Seven: Conclusion: Prospects for a Contemporary Chinese Bourgeoisie
Chapter Two: Liberal Class Development in England and France
Chapter Three: Illiberal Class Development in China: 907-1976
Chapter Four: China's Private Entrepreneurs: Economic Rationality and Autonomy
Chapter Five: China's Private Entrepreneurs: State Predation and the Rise of Property-Law Interests
Chapter Six: China's Private Entrepreneurs: the Formation of Liberal Political Values?
Chapter Seven: Conclusion: Prospects for a Contemporary Chinese Bourgeoisie