Letters from Tomis

Roberts, John Peter. China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution. Wellred Publications, 1997.

John Peter Roberts delivers a compelling and incisive analysis of modern Chinese history in China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution. Drawing from a rich Marxist tradition, Roberts offers a detailed and engaging critique of China’s transformation under the Chinese Communist Party, from the revolutionary fervor of Mao Zedong to the market-driven pragmatism of Deng Xiaoping and beyond.

What makes this book stand out is its clear ideological framework. Roberts does not shy away from confronting complex and controversial topics, such as the role of Stalinism, the betrayal of socialist principles, and the bureaucratization of the Chinese state. His command of both historical detail and theoretical analysis makes the book accessible to readers new to Marxist thought, while also providing depth and nuance for seasoned scholars and activists.

Roberts’ writing is sharp and passionate, yet grounded in meticulous research. He challenges mainstream narratives that present China’s rise as purely economic success, instead exposing the human cost, growing inequalities, and contradictions of a so-called “socialist market economy.”

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true nature of China’s political evolution. Whether you agree with all of Roberts’ conclusions or not, China: From Permanent Revolution to Counter-Revolution provokes critical thinking and opens the door to important debates about socialism, revolution, and the future of global capitalism.