Historical Dictionary of the Chinese Communist Party

by Lawrence R. Sullivan

Overview

The Chinese Communist Party, as the political leader of the world's largest country and second largest economy, plays an undeniably important role in global politics. Founded in a boarding school in Shanghai in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party is one of the oldest ruling parties in the world since its takeover of mainland China in 1949 under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong. Since its inception, the party has survived a civil war with the Kuomintang (1946-1949); the political, cultural, and humanitarian catastrophe of the Great Leap Forward (1958-1960), where upwards of 30 million Chinese civilians died; and the death of the Chinese Communist Party's dominant leader, Mao Zedong, in 1976.

In recent years, intellectuals and party members have been given increasing leeway to express their opinions, and Lawrence R. Sullivan takes advantage of this new research to provide a comprehensive history of one of the world's most fascinating political movements. The Historical Dictionary of the Chinese Communist Party contains a chronology, an introductory essay, an appendix, an extensive bibliography, and more than 400 cross-reference dictionary entries on key people, places, and institutions. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Chinese Communist Party.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810874701
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/04/2011
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Lawrence R. Sullivan is associate professor of political science at Adelphi University, Garden City, New York and an associate-in-research at the East Asian Institute, Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Editor’s ForewordJon Woronoff

Preface

Reader’s Note

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Map

Chronology

Introduction

THE DICTIONARY

Glossary

Appendices

Bibliography

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Founded in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has just celebrated its 90th anniversary. As the only ruling political party in China since 1949, CCP has been in firm control for over six decades while the rule of communist parties or long-serving leaders in other parts of the world has collapsed. CCP's enduring presence can be attributed to its populist origins, socialist principles, and tight control over its people. With this historical dictionary, Sullivan (Adelphi Univ.) presents an informative introduction to the CCP's history, organization, ideology, issues, and contradictions, followed by a detailed chronology (1917-2010) and over 400 entries on significant events, key people, places, and institutions. The volume includes three appendixes and a bibliography in three parts: "General Works on Chinese Politics, Economy, and Society," "Specialized Works on the Chinese Communist Party, Its Organization, and Leadership," and "Selected Internet Sites, 2003-2011." This is a welcome and up-to-date publication....Sullivan's dictionary will be useful for students in Chinese studies or political studies. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice Reviews

The A to Z entries in the main body include well-researched, short essays on topics such as people, political movements, events, and organizations in the CCP history. The author has been a published scholar in Chinese history for the past four decades with a major focus on contemporary politics and environmental affairs. The contemporary issues and new political figures discussed are of particular value for students and researchers who would like to learn more about the development of the CCP and the country for the past few decades. Other valuable features include a chronology, organizational charts, and an extensive bibliography. This work is highly recommended for academic libraries.

American Reference Books Annual

Sullivan demonstrates an extensive knowledge of his subject with 400 articles, of between 50 and 2,000 words, on personalities, organizations, events, movements, concepts, policies, campaigns, slogans and technical terms significant to the Party throughout its history and up to the present day.. .. This useful Dictionary will be of great importance not just to China but to the world, and so this book deserves a wide circulation.

Reference Reviews

Founded in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has just celebrated its 90th anniversary. As the only ruling political party in China since 1949, CCP has been in firm control for over six decades while the rule of communist parties or long-serving leaders in other parts of the world has collapsed. CCP's enduring presence can be attributed to its populist origins, socialist principles, and tight control over its people. With this historical dictionary, Sullivan (Adelphi Univ.) presents an informative introduction to the CCP's history, organization, ideology, issues, and contradictions, followed by a detailed chronology (1917-2010) and over 400 entries on significant events, key people, places, and institutions. The volume includes three appendixes and a bibliography in three parts: "General Works on Chinese Politics, Economy, and Society," "Specialized Works on the Chinese Communist Party, Its Organization, and Leadership," and "Selected Internet Sites, 2003-2011." This is a welcome and up-to-date publication....Sullivan's dictionary will be useful for students in Chinese studies or political studies. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice