The Constitution of China: A Contextual Analysis (Constitutional Systems of the World)

This book on China's Constitution and its tradition of constitutionalism is one of the first in the English language, and, as such, provides a much needed overview. The first part of the book deals with China's constitutional history, its indigenous and Confucian antecedents, as well as the turbulent century which led up to the 1982 Constitution and the new order which this ushered in. This section also examines the distinctive features of China's current Constitution. The second part of the book introduces the institutional structure defined in the current Constitution: the relationship between the Center and the Regions, the role of the party and the role of the People's Congress, the meaning of the socialist rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. The final section discusses the major developments in human rights and their deficiencies: the protection offered to life, liberty, property, and equality, and, at the same time, the currently dormant areas of political and religious freedom. The book concludes with a chapter looking toward the future of the People's Congress and Chinese constitutionalism. In sum, it offers a readable account of the salient features of Chinese constitutional developments in all major areas. (Series: Constitutional Systems of the World) *** "...intriguing and insightful.... Highly recommended." - Choice, July 2013, Vol. 50 No. 11