More than 630 million Chinese have escaped poverty since the 1980s, reducing the fraction remaining from 82 to 10 percent of the population. This astonishing decline in poverty, the largest in history, coincided with the rapid growth of a private enterprise economy. Studying over 700 manufacturing firms in the Yangzi region, authors Victor Nee and Sonja Opper argue that China’s private enterprise economy bubbled up from below. Today, this private enterprise economy is one of the greatest success stories in the history of capitalism.

Please join us for a “Chats in the Stacks” book talk with Victor Nee who will discuss his new book “Capitalism from Below: Markets and Institutional Change in China" (Harvard University Press, June 19, 2012). Victor Nee is the Frank and Rosa Rhodes Professor at Cornell University, and Director of the Center for the Study of Economy and Society.

Following the talk, Dr. Nee will lead a question and answer session. Light refreshments will be available throughout the event, and books will be available for purchase and signing. More information about upcoming book talks hosted by Olin/Uris Library can be found at olinuris.library.cornell.edu/booktalks.