This is a study of the evolution of the relationship between China and the world economy. Focusing on China's responses to the expansion of the capitalist world economy, the book presents an interpretation of the country's socioeconomic processes since 1850. The author argues that the general thrust of China's quest for development or "modernization" has been to catch up with the western wealthy nations, and explains the changing paths and outcomes.

This is a study of the long-run evolution of the relationship between China and the world economy. The book presents an original interpretation of the country's socio-economic processes in the past 150 years, focusing on China's interaction with the expanding capitalist world economy. The author argues that the general thrust of China's quest for development or modernization has been to catch up with the wealthy nations of the West, and goes on to explain the changing paths and outcomes.