Industrial Eden

Explore the intricate evolution of Chinese capitalism in Industrial Eden by Brett Sheehan, published by Harvard University Press in 2021. This compelling study delves into the experiences of the Song family of North China as they navigate through five successive authoritarian governments. With 344 pages of insightful analysis, Sheehan reveals the complex interplay between foreign and Chinese influences on private business. Contrary to conventional narratives, he illustrates how private enterprises, while closely linked to the state, were neither mere instruments of authoritarianism nor natural allies of democracy. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the nuanced relationship between capitalism and governance in contemporary China.