Evaluating China's economic and military presence in the twenty first century, critically acclaimed author of The World We're In Will Hutton discusses why it is crucial for the United States to embrace the powerful country as a partner or face it as an enemy. In this provocative and stimulating book, critically acclaimed author Will Hutton warns that China is running up against a set of daunting challenges from within its own political and economic system that could well derail its rise, leading to a massive shock to the global economy. The United States, he argues, must recognize that it has a vital stake in working to assure this doesn't happen, for if China's political liberalization and economic growth collapse, the United States will suffer crippling consequences. If the twenty-first century is to be the China century, the Chinese will have to embrace the features of modern Western nations that have spurred the political stability and economic power of the United States and Europe: the rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of the press, and authentic representative government that is accountable to the people. Turning conventional wisdom on its head, The Writing on the Wall is a brilliantly argued book that is vital reading at a crucial juncture in world affairs.