China has transformed itself from a passive bystander in international politics into a major player within global politics and economics. An analysis of China in the context of comparative politics is often misguided by the use of outdated categorisations and of oversimplifications. Furthermore, the causal interplay between domestic and global processes and their impact on the permanent adaptation of Chinese politics is overlooked in existing textbooks on Chinese politics, which generally focus either on domestic institutions or on select fields within China's foreign relations. The main goal of this introductory textbook is to provide the reader with a general knowledge of the institutional basics, of the core patterns of Chinese history and politics as well as the philosophical underpinnings of the Chinese state. Instead of constructing a unified, monolithic depiction of Chinese politics, the book presents an overview of partially competing governance configurations. It also includes theory concepts and frameworks developed by Chinese scholars and outlines the basic patterns of China's special administrative regions (Hong Kong, Macao) and the party/political landscape of Taiwan, including a critical discussion of political change in Hong Kong and Taiwan based on elections.
