Introduction

Ever since 1949, there have been recurring predictions about PRC’s imminent collapse. Many are convinced that China’s system would not work, and its development would sooner or later hit a wall. Why do so many people have repeatedly made wrong predictions? It has to do with their tacit theoretical basis and dogmas in the heads of those who make such predictions. The Preface briefly discusses some of prevailing “theories” and reveals their unspoken premises: Only systems possessing certain talismans of power would prevail, and all others are doomed to fail unless they follow the path suggested by the “theories”. China’s rise overturns these theories. The book attempts to explain why China, once an extremely poor country in the East with no history of colonialism, could take off after it embarked on the road of socialism. The story of China tells the world that if China can, so can all others. Ever since 1949, there have been recurring predictions about PRC’s imminent collapse. Many are convinced that China’s system would not work, and its development would sooner or later hit a wall. Why do so many people have repeatedly made wrong predictions? It has to do with their tacit theoretical basis and dogmas in the heads of those who make such predictions. The Preface briefly discusses some of prevailing “theories” and reveals their unspoken premises: Only systems possessing certain talismans of power would prevail, and all others are doomed to fail unless they follow the path suggested by the “theories”. China’s rise overturns these theories. The book attempts to explain why China, once an extremely poor country in the East with no history of colonialism, could take off after it embarked on the road of socialism. The story of China tells the world that if China can, so can all others.