peaceful emergence of china: the philosophical and cultural roots
These day we hear a lot about China and its laudable economic and social progress. China has managed to lift staggering one billion human beings from below poverty line to lower and mid middle class. Some wish to portray this in terms of China replacing the united states as the number one global power and establishing its own hegemony worldwide.
while this is a one imaginable scenario, there are other possible outcomes. Chines propaganda machine has come up with a phrase to assure the world that China means no harm and does not wishes to become a new US: the peaceful emergence of China.
The promise (1980s)
the term “peaceful emergence of China” is a concept that was first introduced by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s as a way to emphasize China’s desire to develop economically and politically while avoiding confrontation and maintaining peace with other nations. The concept is sometimes also referred to as “peaceful development” or “peaceful rise.” The idea is that China seeks to emerge as a global power peacefully and without resorting to military aggression or territorial expansion. the key elements are:
Economic Development: The idea is that China will continue to grow its economy through market-oriented reforms and by participating in global trade and investment. This is seen as a way to improve the living standards of the Chinese people and enhance China’s overall competitiveness.
Diplomacy and Cooperation: China seeks to build positive relationships with other countries based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. It is committed to engaging in multilateralism and respecting international norms and laws.
Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: The concept emphasizes the importance of peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiation rather than resorting to military force.
Non-Interference: China maintains a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and respects their sovereignty.
Harmonious Society: China seeks to build a harmonious society within its own borders, promoting social stability, inclusiveness, and sustainable development.
Overall, the concept of the peaceful emergence of China is based on the idea that China can become a powerful and influential nation without threatening the existing global order or engaging in military conflict with other nations.
how things stand
China has made significant progress in implementing the concept of the "peaceful emergence of China" since it was first introduced in the 1980s. Some of the key achievements include:
Economic Development: China has become the world's second-largest economy and a major player in international trade and investment. It has also lifted millions of people out of poverty through market-oriented reforms.
Diplomacy and Cooperation: China has established positive relationships with many countries and has played a constructive role in international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization.
Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: China has engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes with other countries, such as the South China Sea territorial disputes, through dialogue and negotiation.
Non-Interference: China has generally maintained a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Harmonious Society: China has made progress in promoting social stability, inclusiveness, and sustainable development within its own borders.
However, there are also criticisms and concerns about China's implementation of the concept. Some critics argue that China's actions in areas such as trade, human rights, and territorial disputes do not always align with the principles of the peaceful emergence of China.
civilization vs. nation-state
China defines itself more as “civilization” rather than a nation-state, the common unit of analysis in modern political science and standard international relations.
The emphasis is that china is a Multi-ethnic country that is mostly united based on shared culture and values woven into rather than nationality and race . That is in contrast to countries like Germany and Italy for example.
One could argue then, there are deliberate and accidental solutions, procedures and wisdom formed resulting from thousand years of relatively peaceful existence of these diverse ethnic groups together.
China's self-definition as a civilization rather than a nation-state is an important factor in the discussion of the peaceful emergence of China. This self-definition reflects China's view of itself as a distinct cultural entity with a long history and a unique worldview.
In practice, this self-definition has implications for China's relations with other countries, as it shapes China's foreign policy and approach to international relations. For example, China's emphasis on the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is influenced by its view that each country should be allowed to develop in accordance with its own cultural traditions and historical experiences.
At the same time, China's self-definition as a civilization also means that it sees itself as having a special role and responsibility in promoting global cultural exchange and dialogue. This can be seen in China's efforts to promote its language, culture, and traditional values through initiatives such as the Confucius Institutes and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Overall, China's self-definition as a civilization rather than a nation-state provides an important cultural and historical context for understanding its approach to the world and its aspirations for peaceful emergence on the global stage.
Language and philosophy
The West is very focused on cause and effect thinking, because they want to find out why certain things happen. They're not as concerned with how everything is connected.
But China is very focused on understanding the relationships and connections between different things. They're more concerned with how everything is connected to each other.
The Chinese language plays a significant role in China's self-definition as a civilization and in its approach to the world. Chinese is one of the oldest and most complex languages in the world, with a rich literary and cultural history that spans thousands of years.
The Chinese language is also an important tool for promoting cultural exchange and communication with other countries. China has made significant efforts to promote the study of the Chinese language around the world through initiatives such as the Confucius Institutes, which offer language and cultural programs in universities and other educational institutions.
In addition, the Chinese language plays a key role in China's diplomacy and international relations. China's emphasis on the importance of mutual respect and understanding in its foreign policy is reflected in its use of language, which is often carefully chosen to avoid offense and to promote a spirit of cooperation and harmony.
Furthermore, the Chinese language is also closely linked to China's cultural and philosophical traditions, such as Confucianism and Taoism, which have had a profound influence on Chinese history and culture. This connection between language, culture, and philosophy is an important aspect of China's self-definition as a civilization and its approach to the world.
Overall, the Chinese language plays a significant role in China's self-definition as a civilization and in its efforts to promote cultural exchange, communication, and cooperation with other countries.
Logic vs. Dialectics
Logic and dialectics are two distinct approaches to reasoning and philosophical inquiry.
Logic is a systematic method of reasoning that is concerned with the validity of arguments and the principles of correct reasoning. It is a formal system that employs rules of inference and mathematical notation to derive conclusions from premises. Logic is often used in mathematics, computer science, and other fields where precision and accuracy are essential.
Dialectics, on the other hand, is a method of reasoning that is concerned with understanding the contradictions and tensions within a given situation or system. Dialectics is a way of thinking that seeks to identify and resolve oppositions and conflicts by examining their underlying causes and relationships.
Let's say we want to understand the concept of justice.
A logical approach might involve defining justice as a set of principles or rules that govern how people should be treated fairly. We could then use deductive reasoning to derive specific conclusions about what actions are just or unjust based on those principles.
For example, we might reason that it is unjust to discriminate against someone on the basis of their race, because doing so violates the principle of treating people fairly regardless of their characteristics.
A dialectical approach, on the other hand, might involve examining the contradictions and tensions within the concept of justice itself. We might ask questions like: What does it mean to treat people fairly? Who gets to decide what is fair? How do we balance competing interests and values when making decisions about what is just?
For example, we might recognize that different people have different ideas about what is fair, and that those ideas can be shaped by their social, cultural, and economic contexts. We might also acknowledge that there are often trade-offs between different principles of justice, such as equality and freedom.
By examining these contradictions and tensions, a dialectical approach can help us develop a more nuanced and complex understanding of the concept of justice, and the challenges involved in achieving it in practice.
but what if china changes course!
the difficulty of learning the Chinese language may make it less likely for China to pursue the same path as the UK and US in terms of colonization and hegemony. Language is a powerful tool for cultural influence, and the spread of the English language has played a significant role in the global dominance of the UK and US.
However, it is important to note that language is not the only factor that determines a country's ability to exert influence on the global stage. Economic and military power, political influence, and cultural norms and values also play important roles.
China has been rapidly developing its economic and military power in recent years, and has also been pursuing a more assertive foreign policy under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. This has led to concerns among some countries that China may be seeking to exert greater influence and assert its dominance in the region and beyond.
China's cultural and philosophical underpinnings play a significant role in shaping its attitudes towards the world. The country's long history, rich culture, and Confucian tradition all contribute to a sense of pride, identity, and nationalism that can make it difficult for China to change its worldview.
Confucianism, which has been a dominant philosophy in China for centuries, emphasizes the importance of order, hierarchy, and respect for authority. This has led to a strong sense of social and political stability in China, which can sometimes clash with Western notions of democracy and individualism. Confucianism also places great emphasis on the role of the family, which can create a sense of collectivism and group identity that can be at odds with Western individualism.
China's history of being invaded and dominated by foreign powers has also contributed to a sense of national pride and a desire to assert its own identity on the world stage. This can lead to a reluctance to compromise or back down in diplomatic disputes, as well as a desire to assert Chinese influence in regions such as East Asia and Africa.
Additionally, China's economic rise in recent decades has strengthened its position and given it more confidence on the world stage. This has led to a more assertive foreign policy and a desire to be recognized as a major global power.
All of these factors, combined with China's complex political system and its unique blend of socialist and capitalist economic policies, make it unlikely that China will dramatically change its attitude towards the world in the near future. However, as with any country, China's attitudes and policies can evolve over time, particularly as new generations come to power and global circumstances shift.