Transforming Asian Socialism: China and Vietnam Compared

Close to a decade after the collapse of the Soviet bloc, the communist parties of China and Vietnam are not only surviving but are firmly in control. Both countries have moved decidedly away from the state-planned economies their governments championed for decades. They are now market economies and can look with some satisfaction to their recent records of economic performance. Yet, unlike their European counterparts, they have made this t5ransition without undergoing major political upheavals. Arguing that an understanding of the similarities and differences among communist countries provides valuable insights into their momentous transformations, this comprehensive volume compares recent changes in China and Vietnam. Exploring the economic, political and social effects of reform programmes, the chapters pair leading Vietnam and China scholars in a genuinely comparative analysis. Finding similarities - and unexpected differences - the authors conclude that Vietnam often has forged its own path rather than following the Chinese model.