Table of Contents

Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. The evolution of rule of law in China: the role of law in historical context; 3. Post-Mao reforms: competing conceptions of rule of law; 4. Rule of law and its critics; 5. Retreat of the Party and the state; 6. The legislative system: battling chaos; 7. The judiciary: in search of independence, authority and competence; 8. The legal profession: the quest for independence and professionalism; 9. The administrative law regime: reining in an unruly bureaucracy; 10. Rule of law and economic development; 11. Rule of law, democracy and human rights; 12. Conclusion: the future of legal reform; References; Index.

Promotional Information

Argues that China is in transition from rule by law to a version of rule of law.

Reviews

'China's Long March toward Rule of Law is a valuable effort to deal with fundamental legal issues arising out of the Chinese law reform process ... any serious scholar of the role of law in non-western environments ... will welcome the publication of this book.' Modern Law Review '... a timely corrective to those who dismiss legal reform in China as meaningless without political liberalization ... persuasive and well supported with primary material ... Peerenboom provides the most comprehensive treatment of this important subject to date, and there is much of both empirical and theoretical value to be gleaned through judicious reading.' Political Studies Review