LAS459 The Political Economy of China

Autumn Semester 2025/26

LAS459 15 credits 

Module Organiser: Dr. Vic Li yu-wai.li@sheffield.ac.uk 

Overview

The course discusses the evolution of China's economic development since 1978. This requires an understanding of both the political changes occurring in China and how political decision-making and globalization shaped China's economic position in the world today. It therefore focuses on the major economic/political events over the past few decades and the contemporary issues in Chinese economy. It serves as a facilitator for students who are interested in working on China (e.g. think tank, international organisation, NGO), with China (business) or in China in the future. 

Topics Covered

• Introduction to Political Economy of China 

• A Country in Transition: From Mao to Deng

• Financial Markets, Household Savings and Corruption

• China’s Fiscal System, Infrastructure and Real Estate 

• Land Usage Rights, Hukou and Urbanization 

• Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Protection

• Labour Markets, Demographic Change and Migration 

• Education, Human Capital and Employment 

• Rebalancing Regional Development & Industrial Policy 

• Assessing the Chinese growth model 

Skills Development

• You will develop Communication skills via expressing your ideas in seminar discussions and presenting your group work on policy analysis.

• Critical Ability will be developed through the seminar discussions, analysing issues and developing an argument in the policy analysis (group work and final assessment).

• Economic literacy skills will be developed by applying economic concepts when examining and explaining economic issues.

• Independent Learning will be developed throughout the module and during the preparation and review of tasks and the policy analysis.

• You will develop Teamwork Skills by contributing to seminar discussions and engaging in group work during the seminar sessions. 

Study Hours

The University recommends that you spend 150 hours working on a 15-credit module. This will include:

• Lecture: 10 hours

• Seminar: 10 hours

• Independent study hours: 130 hrs