It should be noted that, in China, the surname comes first followed by the given name. In this volume, the pinyin system of transliteration has been used for all Chinese names (e.g., Mao Zedong), except in passages from primary sources where the original author has used an older form of spelling.

In writing this book, I have accumulated many debts of gratitude, the first and foremost being to my editor Dr Helen Pike, who has been an unfailing source of wisdom and good advice and has been a great support during the composition process. I would also like to thank everyone at Anthem Press, particularly Brian Stone and Tej P. S. Sood, for their encouragement, guidance and professionalism in the production of the completed text. Finally I thank my friends, who have had to endure years of enforced discussion and endless progress reports on the state of the book; they have done so uncomplainingly and have provided much enthusiastic support. Needless to say, any mistakes are entirely my own.

The greatest influence on my decision to read history and political philosophy was Professor H. T. Dickinson at Edinburgh University, who continues to be a great mentor and inspiration. I dedicate this book to the memory of my parents.