One of the core assumptions of recent American foreign policy is that China's post-1978 policy of "reform and openness" will lead to political liberalization. This book challenges that assumption and the general relationship between economic liberalization and democratization. Moreover, it analyzes the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) liberalization on Chinese labor politics. Market reforms and increased integration with the global economy have brought about unprecedented economic growth and social change in China during the last quarter of a century. Contagious Capitalism contends that FDI liberalization played several roles in the process of China's reforms. First, it placed competitive pressure on the state sector to produce more efficiently, thus necessitating new labor practices. Second, it allowed difficult and politically sensitive labor reforms to be extended to other parts of the economy. Third, it caused a reformulation of one of the key ideological debates of reforming socialism: the relative importance of public industry. China's growing integration with the global economy through FDI led to a new focus of debate--away from the public vs. private industry dichotomy and toward a nationalist concern for the fate of Chinese industry. In comparing China with other Eastern European and Asian economies, two important considerations come into play, the book argues: China's pattern of ownership diversification and China's mode of integration into the global economy. This book relates these two factors to the success of economic change without political liberalization and addresses the way FDI liberalization has affected relations between workers and the ruling Communist Party. Its conclusion: reform and openness in this context resulted in a strengthened Chinese state, a weakened civil society (especially labor), and a delay in political liberalization.

Contagious Capitalism is a first-rate book that presents an important, new argument about Chinese political economy and reform. Well-written and thoroughly researched, it makes a novel contribution to the literature. -- Marc Blecher, Oberlin College The relationship between foreign direct investment and the evolution of labor reforms in China is much misunderstood. This book contributes in significant ways to this important area of knowledge. -- Doug Guthrie, New York University

About the Author
Mary Elizabeth Gallagher is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is also a faculty associate of the Center for Chinese Studies and the Institute for Labor and Industrial Relations.

Reviews
"[A] rich and insightful study that contributes significantly to the research on the relationship between political and economic reform."--Doug Guthrie, China Quarterly "Gallagher's book opens numerous questions for discussion. It is a useful corrective to overly facile assumptions about the connection between economic liberalization and political democracy."--Peter R. Moody, Jr., Political Science Quarterly "The text makes a particularly important contribution to our understanding of China as a model of economic growth and development."--Satya J. Gabriel, Journal of Politics "Readers wanting a thorough understanding of the labor issues related to urban China will certainly appreciate this book."--Jean-Louis Rocca, China Perspectives "Contagious Capitalism offers valuable information and insightful theoretical interpretations on the changing economic and political relations in contemporary China."--Wei Xu, Environment and Planning A "This is an essential read for anyone interested in any aspect of the political economy of modern China because the book expertly draws together many strands of analysis and evidence to provide a detailed and powerful argument on the relation between economic development and political stability. [A] must-read for anyone interested in either China's reform or labor studies at graduate and scholarly levels."--Bill Taylor, China Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9780691130361
Author Mary Elizabeth Gallagher
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publisher Princeton University Press
Weight(grams) 369g