First published in 1986, in Ideological Conflicts in Modern China Wen-Shun Chi recalls the clash of ideological systems that occurred during China's century long revolution and the numerous contingencies that propel the country in a Marxist direction. His book, which can also be read as a text to introduce students to the main intellectual currents of twentieth- century China, describes nine major thinkers in detail and with the insight of a Chinese activist who lived through most of the period he is reviewing.

The result is a book that both reminds us of the humanistic and democratic alternatives to Marxism that existed in China and helps to explain why, after the death of Mao Tse-tung in 1976, China began to turn away from much of Marxism-Leninism. This work is a critical resource for understanding the ideological foundations of modern Chinese politics and the ongoing tension between democratic aspirations and authoritarian realities. This is an important historical reference work for students of Chinese studies, Chinese politics and history.