Political Economy: Basic Theories and New Developments

Author: Deng Haichao and Du Yueping (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This political economy textbook differs from many currently used political economy textbooks in China in terms of its system structure and content arrangement. To a certain extent, it is a "topic-based" or "monograph-style" textbook. It does not deliberately construct a "perfect" or "rigorous" theoretical system of political economy, but instead divides the fundamental theories of Marxist political economy and their new theoretical achievements in China's socialist society and socialist market economy into more than ten topics, such as Labor Theory of Value, Theory of Surplus Value Production, Theory of Surplus Value Realization, Theory of Surplus Value Distribution, Capital Theory, Labor and Theory of Labor Productivity, Theory of Monopoly Capitalism, Theory of the Basic Economic System in the Primary Stage of Socialism, Theory of the Socialist Economic System, Theory of the Socialist Economic Operation, Theory of the Socialist Personal Income Distribution, and Theory of Socialist Opening Up. Each topic is elaborated separately. The purpose of this approach is to help readers understand the basic principles of Marxist political economy in a relatively focused manner, learn about the new developments of these principles in China, and facilitate their mastery and application of these principles to analyze, interpret, and solve practical problems. As a "topic-based" or "monograph-style" textbook, this book has the following main features:
1. Each chapter is self-contained. Every chapter is a dedicated topic, which is convenient for students to choose reading materials based on their foundation and interests, and also allows instructors to freely select content according to class schedules.
2. Broad reader base. During the writing process, this book primarily referenced the teaching syllabus and review guide for postgraduate students in Marxist political economy organized by the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education, as well as many publicly published political economy textbooks. Therefore, it not only meets the learning needs of undergraduate students in economics and management but is also suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in various disciplines, and can serve as a reference for political economy enthusiasts and candidates in society.
3. Up-to-date content. This book not only clarifies the fundamental principles of Marxist political economy but also incorporates the most authoritative innovative achievements in political economy research from China's economic theory circles. It also demonstrates the new developments in Marxist political economy by Deng Xiaoping and the third-generation central leadership collective, reflecting the spirit of important conferences such as the 15th and 16th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee. Additionally, it provides explanations and interpretations of many new situations and issues in China's socialist market economy from fresh perspectives and angles.
4. Clear innovations. This book dedicates separate chapters to discussing hot and focal issues such as the Labor Theory of Value, the Theory of Labor and Labor Productivity, Capital Theory, and the Basic Economic System in the Primary Stage of Socialism. Although these theories have been mentioned in previous political economy textbooks, they were often insufficiently covered due to systemic constraints. By dedicating chapters to these topics, the book not only facilitates in-depth study and exploration of these issues but also enables readers to apply Marx's fundamental principles—such as the Labor Theory of Value, the Theory of Labor and Labor Productivity, and Capital Theory—to analyze and research relevant problems under the conditions of China's socialist market economy.