Many books claiming to aid our understanding of China are based on the assumption that it is destined to follow the model of the US; war, empire and unilateralism. Ronald Keith shows that this underplays the importance of China's domestic politics, which will be essential in shaping the country's role in the world.

Highlighting the development over time of China's perception of it's own "rise", the book integrates domestic perspective into critical analysis of the contemporary controversies concerning "socialism" versus "capitalism with Chinese characteristics," the struggle to create the rule of law and to foster human rights and elaboration of a new stage of democratic reform.

The internal viewpoint and original analysis make this book an essential text for students of China studies and international relations.