Renovating Politics in Contemporary Vietnam

The Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) has ruled continuously in the northern half of Vietnam since 1954, and throughout the country since 1975. Abuza (political science and international relations, Simmons College) reveals the ongoing friction between the VCP and dissident groups. He explains what the coalescence of Vietnamese politics under one party has meant politically, culturally, and psychologically for the Vietnamese people. He traces shifts in political currents from the VCP's rise to power to the present debates of intellectual freedom, focusing on dissent since the economic reform plan launched in 1986. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)