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The China Questions: Critical Insights into a Rising Power
“Cuts through the cacophony of information, misinformation, and nonsense on China that circulates in our modern world to give us reliable answers to crucial questions… Should be on the shelf of anyone seeking to understand this fast-rising superpower.”
―Ian Johnson, author of The Souls of China
After years of isolation, China is now center stage as an economic and global power, but its rise has triggered wildly divergent views. Is it a model of business efficiency or a threat to American prosperity and security? Thirty-six of the world’s leading China experts from Harvard University’s renowned Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies answer key questions about this new superpower, distilling a lifetime of scholarship into short and accessible essays about Chinese politics, culture, history, economy, approach to the environment, and foreign policy. Their contributions provide essential insight into the challenges China faces, the aspirations of its people and leaders, its business climate, and the consequences of its meteoric ascent. Many books offer information about China, but few make sense of what is truly at stake.
“Impressive… A highly informative, readable collection for scholars and nonscholars alike.”
― Publishers Weekly
“Provides a more nuanced and accessible perspective on the issues China is facing.”
― South China Morning Post
“Erudite yet accessible… The topical reach is impressive.”
―Jeffrey Wasserstrom, author of China in the 21st Century
―Ian Johnson, author of The Souls of China
After years of isolation, China is now center stage as an economic and global power, but its rise has triggered wildly divergent views. Is it a model of business efficiency or a threat to American prosperity and security? Thirty-six of the world’s leading China experts from Harvard University’s renowned Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies answer key questions about this new superpower, distilling a lifetime of scholarship into short and accessible essays about Chinese politics, culture, history, economy, approach to the environment, and foreign policy. Their contributions provide essential insight into the challenges China faces, the aspirations of its people and leaders, its business climate, and the consequences of its meteoric ascent. Many books offer information about China, but few make sense of what is truly at stake.
“Impressive… A highly informative, readable collection for scholars and nonscholars alike.”
― Publishers Weekly
“Provides a more nuanced and accessible perspective on the issues China is facing.”
― South China Morning Post
“Erudite yet accessible… The topical reach is impressive.”
―Jeffrey Wasserstrom, author of China in the 21st Century
352 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2019
99 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 27, 2018
This book states right from the start that it doesn't pretend to be an in-depth analysis of China, so I don't get some of the other reviews that complain about this book being superficial.
I think this is a great introduction to many China-related topics. I highly recommend it to people that want to learn about this country, but mostly, for students that need a bit of guidance in their research. This is a good place to start.
I think this is a great introduction to many China-related topics. I highly recommend it to people that want to learn about this country, but mostly, for students that need a bit of guidance in their research. This is a good place to start.
December 14, 2018
This is a collection of 36 short essays by scholars at Harvard's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. It is very accessible to the lay reader, and addresses a wide variety of topics from the political to social, environmental, literary and even religious. I learned a lot. Some of the questions include:
* Does Mao still matter? Absolutely.
* What does longevity mean for leadership in China? A lot, because Chinese leaders live a lot longer than most other leaders, and maintain influence long after they have left office.
* Is Chinese exceptionalism undermining China's foreign policy interests? Yes, in fascinating ways.
* (When) Will Taiwan reunify with the Mainland? Probably not any time soon.
* Can China's high growth continue? Not at current levels.
* What can China teach us about fighting poverty? A lot. But they certainly don't have all the answers.
* How are China and its middle class handling aging and mental health? Well, better than before, but they still have a long ways to go.
* Why do so many Chinese students come to the US? Not because there's a dearth of opportunity in China these days. But rather, undergrads want to avoid the torturous exams required to get into domestic unis. And parents still see a great cachet in an American education.
Published in 2018, this book is about as up-to-date as you can get in a hardcover book, and covered a refreshing array of topics and opinions. Only six of the contributors appear to be Chinese, looking at their names. That didn't bother me, though. Highly recommended. The book made me realize how much I still need to learn about China.
* Does Mao still matter? Absolutely.
* What does longevity mean for leadership in China? A lot, because Chinese leaders live a lot longer than most other leaders, and maintain influence long after they have left office.
* Is Chinese exceptionalism undermining China's foreign policy interests? Yes, in fascinating ways.
* (When) Will Taiwan reunify with the Mainland? Probably not any time soon.
* Can China's high growth continue? Not at current levels.
* What can China teach us about fighting poverty? A lot. But they certainly don't have all the answers.
* How are China and its middle class handling aging and mental health? Well, better than before, but they still have a long ways to go.
* Why do so many Chinese students come to the US? Not because there's a dearth of opportunity in China these days. But rather, undergrads want to avoid the torturous exams required to get into domestic unis. And parents still see a great cachet in an American education.
Published in 2018, this book is about as up-to-date as you can get in a hardcover book, and covered a refreshing array of topics and opinions. Only six of the contributors appear to be Chinese, looking at their names. That didn't bother me, though. Highly recommended. The book made me realize how much I still need to learn about China.
June 29, 2018
Despite my initial hopes, I found this book to be fairly underwhelming. I found very little of its content novel or provocative, though there certainly are nuggets of interesting information and analysis buried within. In fairness to the book, it does not claim to be a thorough examination of China, but rather a comprehensive handbook for those seeking a basic understanding of the different elements of the country. In this, the book certainly succeeds. Including essays on economics, society, international relations, history, environment, and politics, this fairly slim volume is a great reference to have on your shelf, especially if you know very little about the PRC and its people. If you are already quite well versed (or mildly versed?) in Sinology, you can probably skip this book without missing too much.
May 31, 2018
I really liked the format of this book - basically a fairly random collection of China scholars' views on topics related to the country. Groupings ranged from politics to the economy to culture. The length of each piece was usually no more than a few pages, fairly succinct on the writers' view of the answer they themselves posed about China. Usually easy to read, and actually educational for me in introducing different elements of history and points of view that I hadn't been aware of myself (or, frankly, had been blindly biased from seeing due to my own non-objective upbringing related to Chinese culture and history). I liked the vast majority of this collection, with the sole exception being the collection of pieces in the history and culture section, which unfortunately was too dry to hold my interest.
February 11, 2023
Rudolph Illuminates The Red Nation
This book was an insightful examination of the complexities and nuances of modern-day China.
The author, Rudolph, delves deep into the country's political structure, its economic and cultural differences, and how they have evolved over the years.
The book features a series of thought-provoking questions and answers that shed light on some of the most pressing issues surrounding China's rise as a global superpower.
The author's expertise and in-depth research on the subject make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern-day China and its place in the world.
The book is well-written, engaging, and I recommend it.
4.4/5
This book was an insightful examination of the complexities and nuances of modern-day China.
The author, Rudolph, delves deep into the country's political structure, its economic and cultural differences, and how they have evolved over the years.
The book features a series of thought-provoking questions and answers that shed light on some of the most pressing issues surrounding China's rise as a global superpower.
The author's expertise and in-depth research on the subject make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern-day China and its place in the world.
The book is well-written, engaging, and I recommend it.
4.4/5
November 25, 2019
Not quite full of ‘critical insights’
This is a collection of 36 essays on China, grouped under the headings of Politics, International Relations, Economy, Environment, Society, and History and Culture. Some of the essays are well-researched, reflecting excellent understanding and insight. Nevertheless, there are also a good number of other essays that tend to be superficial.
The collection may serve as a useful introduction to readers who are unfamiliar with China. Overall, however, I do not think it lives up to its title as a book of ‘Critical Insights’.
This is a collection of 36 essays on China, grouped under the headings of Politics, International Relations, Economy, Environment, Society, and History and Culture. Some of the essays are well-researched, reflecting excellent understanding and insight. Nevertheless, there are also a good number of other essays that tend to be superficial.
The collection may serve as a useful introduction to readers who are unfamiliar with China. Overall, however, I do not think it lives up to its title as a book of ‘Critical Insights’.
March 20, 2018
Compilation of short pieces on China that cover a satisfying breadth of topics. Reducing big historical, cultural, and political questions to essay-length also produces dense pieces with several untreated questions that was difficult for close reading. The examples contributors used to illustrate their arguments were however quite contemporary, relevant, and helpful. A useful guide for China 101 or 102.
March 17, 2018
I was drawn to this book because of the contents page - it has all the questions I often wondered about China. While I agree with one of the reviewers that it only addresses each topic at the surface, it will make you want to know more after a good foundational introduction. Overall an easy and fun read.
May 19, 2023
Not a non-fiction girlie but this book hit all the marks. A collection of concise, enthusiastic essays that explains that China is not only a powerful political and economic power, yes many ways a threat to the West, but also an ancient empire and nation steeped with history, philosophy, art, lore, and contradiction. It’s more “what makes China interesting?” than just “what is China?”
December 28, 2021
Solid collection of critical essays into various aspects of modern (and historical) China. Many of the essays I found too short for such broad questions and would have appreciated further depth from the range of expert writers.
February 12, 2018
scratching the surface, good for newcomers.
May 6, 2018
A good book for the starters.
April 9, 2020
Some chapters are worth to read, some are quite biased.
October 18, 2021
An interesting but dry read. Very informative.
March 30, 2025
Good information on Chinese sectors compared to USA, will become outdated in due time.
March 17, 2020
The first chapter has a title of "Is the Chinese Communist Regime Legitimate?" well, I guess we Chinese people don't care about being legitimate that much.
“In recent years, many have asked how a revolution nearly seventy years ago, no matter how valid one thinks it was at the time, justifies the Party continuing in power today." well, it's quite new for me, and I think for most PRC civilians, to question, or even think about the "legitimacy" of the CCP. After around 2000 long years of so many emperors, it's kind of a Chinese tradition to accept CCP as the new emperor. Just that the emperors used to be one human, but now, a group of human beings. Actually after Xi Jinping claimed power, he is almost the emperor, the supreme leader. He just hasn't claimed the title yet.
We are taught not to question the legitimacy of emperors unless we want a coffin immediately. Sometimes even to corpse to be buries, if we really upset the emperor. Legitimacy never matters in China, because China is never ruled by law. It's always ruled by someone. Just that at this period of time, this "someone" is CCP.
Actually "Xi Da Da" means "Daddy Xi" or like "Father Xi", basically "Da Da" means daddy/ father/ dad. Well, does that sound even more cult?
Among the 7 reasons why China has rapid economic growth during the past 30 years, the first one is labor. For this part, do not underestimate how evil CCP is. With the one-child policy, they can force people to have only one child. Facing the aging population issue, they can absolutely force ppl to have at least 2 kids. The were news about "second child deposit" there recent years. Newly married couple have to pay around 5k or something when they register for marriage. You can never imagine how evil CCP can be. If some day there is a rule that any women who has less that 2 kids before 45 will be executed, or women are not allowed to go to colleague or even high school unless they have 2 kids, I'll not be surprised.
And still, no one will step out to question it or even fight it. Labor will not be an issue to China's future economic growth, because CCP will always have its own method to solve it. And without any doubt they can get things done, like always.
And among the reasons, the one about China moved to a more market-based approach, Jiang Zemin changes China but Xi Jinping changed it back. China is moving more towards goverment-directed production, based on economic principles, it won't work. But I'm not sure whether economic rules apply to everywhere. In a autocratic country, especially its "citizens" are so used to an emperor existing, it's hard to tell. Maybe unfortunately I’m wrong this time.
这本书某种程度上回答了我的一个问题：“为什么毛泽东要发动文化大革命” 站在现在的时间点很容易觉得这人就是个sociopath 莫名其妙害死了那么多人（比二战中日本人杀死的中国人更多）然而为什么呢？总得有点好处吧？看了这本书有点觉得，毛泽东没有想到文化大革命及前后的一系列事情会引发那么多连锁效应，带来那么严重的后果，他一开始只是想要肃清政敌，就跟习近平反腐一样。至于事情是如何失控的，只能说极权社会特色了。
Pretty much finished this book.
This collection of essays is good, especially for someone interested in modern China or has to study China for no matter what the reason is.
But for me, it’s not so much. Nothing new from it, but I’m glad it’s mostly true compared to my feelings/ experience. I won’t agree on almost half of the chapter about economy, and hope I’m right this time.
I guess I don’t hate China that much, after all my family still lives there. But it is already “there” to me. The main reason I’m reading this book is pretty much like Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. I want to know how the rest of the world, mostly western world sees China, where I’m from. Though it didn’t provide a new angle, it’s still worth reading.
“In recent years, many have asked how a revolution nearly seventy years ago, no matter how valid one thinks it was at the time, justifies the Party continuing in power today." well, it's quite new for me, and I think for most PRC civilians, to question, or even think about the "legitimacy" of the CCP. After around 2000 long years of so many emperors, it's kind of a Chinese tradition to accept CCP as the new emperor. Just that the emperors used to be one human, but now, a group of human beings. Actually after Xi Jinping claimed power, he is almost the emperor, the supreme leader. He just hasn't claimed the title yet.
We are taught not to question the legitimacy of emperors unless we want a coffin immediately. Sometimes even to corpse to be buries, if we really upset the emperor. Legitimacy never matters in China, because China is never ruled by law. It's always ruled by someone. Just that at this period of time, this "someone" is CCP.
Actually "Xi Da Da" means "Daddy Xi" or like "Father Xi", basically "Da Da" means daddy/ father/ dad. Well, does that sound even more cult?
Among the 7 reasons why China has rapid economic growth during the past 30 years, the first one is labor. For this part, do not underestimate how evil CCP is. With the one-child policy, they can force people to have only one child. Facing the aging population issue, they can absolutely force ppl to have at least 2 kids. The were news about "second child deposit" there recent years. Newly married couple have to pay around 5k or something when they register for marriage. You can never imagine how evil CCP can be. If some day there is a rule that any women who has less that 2 kids before 45 will be executed, or women are not allowed to go to colleague or even high school unless they have 2 kids, I'll not be surprised.
And still, no one will step out to question it or even fight it. Labor will not be an issue to China's future economic growth, because CCP will always have its own method to solve it. And without any doubt they can get things done, like always.
And among the reasons, the one about China moved to a more market-based approach, Jiang Zemin changes China but Xi Jinping changed it back. China is moving more towards goverment-directed production, based on economic principles, it won't work. But I'm not sure whether economic rules apply to everywhere. In a autocratic country, especially its "citizens" are so used to an emperor existing, it's hard to tell. Maybe unfortunately I’m wrong this time.
这本书某种程度上回答了我的一个问题：“为什么毛泽东要发动文化大革命” 站在现在的时间点很容易觉得这人就是个sociopath 莫名其妙害死了那么多人（比二战中日本人杀死的中国人更多）然而为什么呢？总得有点好处吧？看了这本书有点觉得，毛泽东没有想到文化大革命及前后的一系列事情会引发那么多连锁效应，带来那么严重的后果，他一开始只是想要肃清政敌，就跟习近平反腐一样。至于事情是如何失控的，只能说极权社会特色了。
Pretty much finished this book.
This collection of essays is good, especially for someone interested in modern China or has to study China for no matter what the reason is.
But for me, it’s not so much. Nothing new from it, but I’m glad it’s mostly true compared to my feelings/ experience. I won’t agree on almost half of the chapter about economy, and hope I’m right this time.
I guess I don’t hate China that much, after all my family still lives there. But it is already “there” to me. The main reason I’m reading this book is pretty much like Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. I want to know how the rest of the world, mostly western world sees China, where I’m from. Though it didn’t provide a new angle, it’s still worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 24, 2018951.06 C5393 2018
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews