"For more than a decade, John Bryan Starr's indispensable guide has introduced uninitiated readers to the background, basic data, and issues at stake in China's crisis-ridden present and future. Now, in this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Starr seamlessly weaves the salient events of the past ten years into the core narrative of the book. Examining the major new developments--among them the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Communist Party's continuing efforts to curb the influence of the Internet, and the intensifying trade disputes with the United States--Starr shows how Deng Xiaoping's successors have worked tirelessly to retain their hold on power in spite of a rapidly developing capitalist economy. Building on the strengths of the original version, the third edition of Understanding China continues to offer a smart, solid overview of Chinese history, society, culture, and politics."--Back cover.

Geographical inequalities --Patterns from the past -- The party-state -- Politics and power -- The economy -- The centrifugal forces of regionalism -- Cities -- Rural discontent -- Ethnic identity -- Environmental challenges -- Population pressure -- The rule of law -- Education -- The flow of information -- The special administrative regions -- Taiwan -- The People's Liberation Army -- The effects of globalization.