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For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation.

After World War II, the Communists under Mao Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor Deng Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled.

For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight, particularly since the world economic downturn has exposed many Chinese to shrinking incomes and lowered expectations. Nonetheless, China expects growth of approximately 8% this year, though that is down from double figures last year.

Politically, the increasing use of the internet has allowed millions of Chinese to communicate directly with each other, circumventing the state’s traditional control over media and information. Not only are demonstrations and protest markedly on the rise, but increasingly, lawyers and citizens are going to the courts to seek justice, e new phenomenon in this tightly controlled country. Additionally, there are thousands of protests and  riots throughout the country, the most recent occurring in the Bulghar region in which 183 people were reported to have been killed.

Corruption continues to plague citizens at all levels, from getting medical care to permits to work and travel. Pollution is massive and the people are becoming increasingly aware of the cost in both human terms, disease – and economic terms. More corporations are deciding not to produce in China either on ethical grounds or because they cannot trust the quality and assurances of their suppliers, This too, has a debilitating effect on the country as a whole.

The Chinese government continues to prefer short term solutions to long term problems, getting the stage for a serious collapse some time in the future. For example. it recently ordered all computer manufacturers to install a device that would let the government exercise unlimited control over content and viewing. The edict was given even though most  manufacturers had not had time to install the devices. A worldwide reaction against this draconian form of censorship led the Chinese to “temporarily suspend” implementation  but the intent and the threat is clear.