Chinese Politics and Economy

Bachelor 2025/2026

Type: Elective course (HSE University and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia)

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 3 year, 3, 4 module

Open to: students of one campus

Language: English

ECTS credits: 10

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Abstract

This course is designed to study China's domestic politics, economy, and society since 1949. But we also review its history including Qing dynasty, Republic of China (1912-1949) to better understand the origin of the People's Republic of China (PRC). This course explore the domestic politics of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) since the revolution in 1949, including the dominant ideology, mass-elite relations, policy processes, political institutions, economic reform and development strategies, and the historical antecedents of the revolution. We will focus significant attention on the reforms of the post-Mao period and consider the prospects for further political and economic liberalization in the PRC. In this course, students acquire necessary skills to apply machine learning techniques for economic data analysis, including the application of diffusion models and random forest for predicting, analyzing and modeling economic and political processes using the example of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Learning Objectives

The students will know the dominant ideology, mass-elite relations, policy processes, political institutions, economic reform and development strategies, and the historical antecedents of the revolution in China
The students will understand the reforms of the post-Mao period, further political and economic liberalization in the PRC.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students learn about politics in China during the Mao era
Students learn about the effects of Chinese revolutions in economics and politics
Students learn about the main political reforms that took place in the post-Mao era and the new challenges that the central government faced
Students learn about the situation in China's domestic politics after Mao’s death
Students learn the basics of China's economic and political system
Students will learn about the current problems of China, their solutions and prospects in economics and politics
Students will learn about the main economic reforms that are currently underway in China

Course Contents

Introduction of the course
Pre-history of the Chinese Revolution
Politics under Mao
The post-Mao Leadership outlook
China's Economic Reform
Post-Mao Political Reform
Problems and prospects

Assessment Elements

Midterm
Assignment
The assignment is a homework, which consists of two questions to be answered in the form of essays (max 1 page each).
Final exam
The final exam is mandatory for all course participants.
Attendance

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 4th module
0.125 * Assignment + 0.125 * Assignment + 0.125 * Attendance + 0.125 * Attendance + 0.25 * Final exam + 0.125 * Midterm + 0.125 * Midterm

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Economy, E. (2018). The Third Revolution : Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1737815

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Dreyer, J. T. (2019). China’s Political System : Modernization and Tradition (Vol. Tenth edition). New York, NY: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1776506

Course Syllabus