century, except the Second World War.) After Mao's death in 1976, many socialist programs were dismantled, though the communist leadership kept tight overall control.
With the introduction of free market reforms, the economy has experienced rapid growth, even in the face of periodic crackdowns on human rights. Still, China faces daunting obstacles. Despite strict population-control programs, the population will probably reach 1.5 billion by 2025. Providing food, power, and health care to all these people will strain the productive capacities of ecosystems already reeling from over exploitation. Yet given China's immense size and huge population, the outcome of this ongoing struggle will help determine the future of humankind and the Earth itself.
