This book investigates whether China's burgeoning private entrepreneurs are a force for democratic change. Jie Chen and Bruce J. Dickson examine the complex relationship between China's private sector and the party-state, drawing on extensive fieldwork and surveys of over 2,000 entrepreneurs. They explore the entrepreneurs' backgrounds, their ties to the state through political and financial connections, and how these relationships shape their views on democracy. The research indicates that while many entrepreneurs favor multi-candidate elections within the existing one-party system, they do not advocate for multi-party competition or broader political liberties.

This study is considered a valuable contribution to understanding democratization in China and globally. The research suggests that China's private entrepreneurs, despite their economic influence, tend to be conservative and status-quo oriented due to their close ties with the state. Their support for democratic change is largely confined to reforms within the existing political structure rather than advocating for fundamental systemic shifts like multi-party competition. The findings offer critical insights into the internal dynamics that shape political development in contemporary China.