Since its founding in 1949, the People's Republic of China has been a one-party state in which the Chinese Communist Party holds a monopoly of political power. Many Western students are unfamiliar with the structures, institutions, and ideologies by which the Party exercises this power. The Government of China examines those issues in depth. It also details the historical development of China's Communist government and explores recent trends, including signs that a more responsive, open system may be developing. This volume is essential reading for students who wish to understand one of the world's most important countries.