Description
Book SynopsisThis book provides a timely analysis of the politics, philosophy, and history of Chinese power, focusing on social, strategic, and diplomatic trends that have shaped China for over three thousand years. Chinese elites have used the past to inform the present, but have also mobilized new ideas to address the country's rapid transition to global power. China's intellectual world can draw on a surprisingly pluralist legacy. When Chinese thinkers assess power, they bring to bear their classical legacy, the military classics, Chinese socialism, and Western political thought. There are also a number of intriguing formulations that give shape to the exercise of Chinese power. Among these are comprehensive national strength, stability preservation, soft power, asymmetric conflict, and counter-intervention strategies. This book looks at key periods in Chinese history when attitudes to power evolved and at their current expressions. These include China's expanded use of think tanks to chart the
Trade ReviewThe Politics and Philosophy of Chinese Power: The Timeless and the Timely is essential reading if one seeks to understand the forces transforming the 21st Century. It is another erudite exploration and evaluation by R. James Ferguson and Rosita Dellios of the qualities that have allowed Chinese civilization to shape a world order that many can still only address in outmoded stereotypes. The reader is left with a profound sense of a Confucian-Daoist tradition of thought culture. It is one which influences Chinese priorities in the human and natural world in unfamiliar ways, addressing global challenges. Chinese evolving strategic resources give it an essential role in multilateral governance. -- Reginald Little, International Confucian Association
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Timeliness: Using the Past to Change the Present Chapter 2 Embracing Shi: The Timely Configuration of Power as Skilful Means Chapter 3 Imperial Stratagems:The Polycentric Mediation of Power Chapter 4 The Use And Abuse of Nationalism: Empowering the Republic? Chapter 5 People’s Party, People’s Army: The Dialectics of Revolution Chapter 6 From Comprehensive National Power to Competitive Regionalism Chapter 7 Unicorns and Dragons - The Search for Chinese Strategic Culture
