Most writing on modern China dwells on those aspects which are new to China since the Communist takeover, stressing above all politics, Marxism, economic and agricultural development. First published in 1985, Modern China argues that all this writing creates a false impression of what present-day China is really like.

This book contends that much of traditional China remains, particularly at the grass-roots level and that Buddhism and the Buddhist tradition continue to exert an influence. Politics in communist China is best understood in the context of this tradition. Throughout arguments are supported by revealing how tradition continues in the economy, in society and the family; by examining in detail the Buddhist tradition; and by using the case study of education to show the interplay between modern and customary forces.