What Will the World Look Like When China Becomes the Next Global Superpower?

Will China become the next superpower of the world? What will that world look like? On the Breakfast Grille, Martin Jacques, author of "When China Rules the World" discusses:

-- What he means by "contested modernity". For over two hundred years we have lived in a western-made world, one where the very notion of being modern was synonymous with being western. But Jacques argues that the twenty-first century will be different: the west will no longer be dominant and there will be many ways of being modern.In this new era of ‘contested modernity’ the central player will be China.

-- China’s impact on the world will not simply be economic; it will also have profound political, cultural and ideological effects

-- The Chinese state is very different from the western state: it has existed for over two thousand years, for over a millennium it has had no competitors (e.g. church, merchants) nor limits to its power; it is regarded with reverence and deference by the Chinese as the guardian and protector of Chinese civilization

-- At its core, China is a civilization-state rather than a nation-state -- he says its the Chinese civilization and culture is what binds its ppl together -- not borders or the idea of being from one country

-- The Chinese have a deep and living sense of their own culture and civilization which they regard as superior to all others

-- Jacques makes the argument that racism is deeply embedded in the Chinese psyche – that there is a pervasive belief in Han Chinese superiority.

-- He also talks about the emotional hardships he suffered in his personal life whilst writing this chapter, and if it had coloured the observations he made in the book

-- Jacques also touches on Sino-American relations: With the US presidential campaigns this year, its triggered a new round of China bashing. Is this just politicking or will there be significant impact on bilateral ties and the rest of the world

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