| Description |
1 online resource (xxv, 271 pages) : illustrations (chiefly color) |
| Contents |
Part I China Through the Looking Glass -- 1 The Grip of Geography: China's Enduring Struggle for Order and Unity -- The Nexus of Water and Power -- Land of Famine: An Isolated Agrarian Society -- Tilling the Throne: The Emperor as 'Farmer in Chief' -- Keeping the Land United -- References -- 2 Crafting Legitimacy: The Entangling Balancing Act -- Mandate of Heaven: Food or Justice? |
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Big Government or Small Government? -- Absurd Decisions or Arbitrary Decisions? -- Holding onto the Throne -- Bigger Pie or Fairer Distribution? -- Living a Better Life: Raising Expectations -- Heavenly Mandate Tested -- Reinventing Legitimacy -- An Ongoing Struggle -- References -- 3 Birdcage Economy: Who Holds the Strings of China's Economy? -- Avoiding Tyranny or Avoiding Chaos? -- Catching the Ant -- Businessmen Under Siege -- Rule of Law: For Whom? -- State-Owned Enterprises: A Mere Legacy of the Past? -- Walking a Tightrope: Unity of Opposites -- References |
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4 A Fusion of Worlds: Interplay of Chinese Tradition and Marxism -- The Rule of Ritual: 'Know Your Place' -- The Hundred Schools of Thought -- The Rule of Law: Enrich the State -- Shang Yang's Dilemma -- The Rule of Virtue: Strengthening Centralisation -- The 'Junzi': A Diversified 'Net-Like' Governance Model -- Virtue Politics -- China Through the Looking Glass -- A Hybrid Model: Blending Marxism with Tradition -- References -- 5 A Contested System: Decision-Making Dynamics in China -- 'Students of the Emperor': The Imperial Examination System -- Working Your Way Up -- Meritocracy in a New Era |
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The Party-State: A Unifying Force -- The People's Liberation Army: Establish CCP Branches at the Level of Companies -- Policies from Above, Counter Policies from Below -- Fighting for and Sharing the Resources -- A Non-unitary Rational Actor: The Dynamics of Upward Accountability -- Point of Influence: The 'Consensus Building' Model -- The Media as Part of Consensus Building -- Picking the Right Stone -- References -- Part II Over the Mountains and Across the Seas -- 6 Capability or Intention: Ambition and Restraint in China's Military Build-Up -- China's Geography and Worldview |
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Neither Cuddly Panda Nor Menacing Dragon -- 'Unconquerable' Enemies -- The War Curse -- The Expansion Curse -- Secular Pragmatism -- China's Core Interest -- Buffer States in Modern Terms -- Regions Shaping National Prosperity -- Increased Offensive Capabilities -- Increased Ambition? -- Not a Global Power -- A Worrying Future? -- Intention Versus Capability: Which Matters Most? -- References -- 7 A Cauldron of Anxiety: War or Peace? -- The Grand Gravity Shifts -- Symbolic Maritime Power -- 'You Will Be Beaten Up If You Fall Behind' -- Control Over Critical Resources -- Hong Kong -- The First Island Chain |
| Summary |
This book addresses one of the most pressing geopolitical inquiries of our era: how will China's ambition manifest on the global stage? To address this question, the book considers Chinas long tradition of statecraft. By doing this, it provides a unique and novel insight into the why behind Chinas actions and sparks a crucial dialogue on how to best navigate Chinas global rise. Through a keen analytical lens, the book illuminates both the constraints and the flexibility inherent in Chinese policy-making. It underscores the geographic and historical factors that constrain China's actions, forcing its leaders into trade-offs. It also highlights the system's inherent flexibility, expanding the range of strategic options available when dealing with China. The most unique contribution consists in framing the pre-occupations of contemporary China in the context of both long-standing Chinese trends and unprecedented global changes. This book offers a nuanced and realistic guide for senior policy makers, business leaders, academic researchers, and global citizens who seek to decipher the enigma of China's ascent and channel its trajectory towards a more positive and responsible direction |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Description based upon print version of record |
| Subject |
Policy sciences -- China
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Policy sciences
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Politics and government
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| SUBJECT |
China -- Politics and government -- 2002- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2004009498
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| Subject |
China
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9819964539 |
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9789819964536 |
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