Vampire State

A Searing Account of Capitalism's Consequences for Modern Britain

Ian Williams on the forces draining Britain's public life

About the Ebook

This is the terrifying story of China's vampire economy. State capitalism. Socialism with Chinese characteristics. A socialist market economy. There have been numerous descriptions of the Chinese economy. However, none seems to capture the predatory, at times surreal, nature of the economy of the world's most populous nation – nor the often bruising and mind-bending experience of doing business with the Middle Kingdom. Rules and agreements mean little. Markets are distorted, statistics fabricated, foreign industrial secrets and technology systematically stolen. Companies and entrepreneurs, at home and abroad, are bullied – often with the collusion of the victims themselves. The Party is in every boardroom and lab, with businesses thriving or dying at its will. All this is part of realising President Xi Jinping's ambition of China becoming the world's pre-eminent economic, technological and military power.

One of the Financial Times' Best New Books on Economics in 2024

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Engage with sharp political analysis of contemporary British capitalism
• Understand how financial systems are reshaping society and the state
• Read challenging, thought-provoking writing on power and inequality
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'This is a timely and important read … Through several deeply reported chapters, he outlines how Beijing wields its influence on business.' — Financial Times

'A penetrating and chilling account of how and why China's rise to global economic dominance has been stopped in its tracks.' — Chris Patten, Governor of Hong Kong (1992–97)

'Vampire State is one of the most profoundly important books on China in recent years … essential reading and a wake‑up call for policy‑makers, business people and the public.' — Benedict Rogers, Co‑Founder & Chief Executive, Hong Kong Watch

About the Author

Ian Williams was foreign correspondent for Channel 4 News, based in Russia (1992–1995) and then Asia (1995–2006). He then joined NBC News as Asia Correspondent (2006–2015), when he was based in Bangkok and Beijing. As well as reporting from China over the last 25 years, he has also covered conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine. He won an Emmy and BAFTA awards for his discovery and reporting on the Serb detention camps during the war in Bosnia. He is currently a doctoral student in the War Studies department at King’s College, London, focusing on cyber issues.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 05 September 2024

Print Length: 368 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788856782

Format: Ebook

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