This is a scholarly text and no page-turner. But it’s short, accessible and fascinating. China scholar Bruce Dickson attempts to profile China’s emerging rich – and by implication, the sources of and outlook for China’s political stability.

What he finds is counterintuitive. Through surveys, he reveals that the richer a “red capitalist,” Chinese entrepreneur, is, the more they buy into “the system.” The more they support top-down party control and distrust the will of the people. It makes sense – to love the system that has made one wealthy. And Dickson sketches the ingenious policies the Communist Party has used to keep the loyalty of these people and bring them into the fold, allowing the country to maintain stability during tumultuous economic reforms. Those who think economic freedom increases the likelihood of political freedom may be provoked to think again.