I am currently reading Martin Jacques’ When China Rules the World. I’m not sure exactly when I will be able to finish it, but when I do I will be sharing insight from it. Below is Jacques’ 20 minute Ted Talk from late 2010, which is still highly relevant to today.
7 thoughts on “Martin Jacques: Understanding the Rise of China”
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I organized a book club to read this book when it came out in 2008, and have been reviewing some parts of it. I thought it was very good at the time, but it seems to fall a bit short now.
Looking forward to yours!
I actually would like to interview the author, if possible, when I finish the book. I’ll see if I can make that happen. I’ve got two more books lined up on China as well.
I know China too well. That’s why I am here, in the United States.
I have to say this seriously, “You don’t want to be ruled by China!”
I also have to say another one, “You don’t want to be ruled by the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire either.
Currently, this only one obvious solution, and the only one:
To dissolve NATO,
to set America and the Europe free of the British, the American (oligarchical), the Ottoman and the Zionist influence.
to ally with Russia,
to retain friendship with Japan,
the last, to watch the infight between the Chinese, the British and the Ottoman Empires.
For who to ally with Russia – China, or America? If China, that alliance is already well underway, although as a civilization-state, the Chinese will never regard the Russians as equals. But that’s of little consequence; the Americans would never regard the Russians as equals, either. However, the Sino-Russian alliance is predicated upon facing a common enemy together, and that enemy is the United States. None of its recent activities are likely to cause a rethink of that position.
I agree that the U.S. will not be able to woo Russia away from its strategic partnership with China. As a declining power, what does the U.S. actually have to offer Russia in any meaningful way? And even if it could find something meaningful to offer, why would Russia trust it since the U.S. has shown over and over with its actions that it will simply abrogate agreements willy-nilly whenever it wants?
I would prefer for no one country to rule over the rest of the world. Pluralism and a balance of power concept would likely make for the best guiding principles.
Precisely, on both counts; the USA has demonstrated time and again over the last decade and especially under this president that agreements might as well not even be written down, never mind signed, as the US regards them as only being in force so long as they are convenient to its aims and games. As to the latter comment – exactly; there is no principle which says we must choose a ruler from the two dominant economic powers. And if we did, perhaps the Chinese would be just as vindictive as the Americans, but it’s difficult to imagine, at least whenever the US administration is dominated by ideologues. And when is it not?
I hope you do get to interview Mr. Jacques; he is a compelling lecturer and has a talent for simplifying complicated concepts. It would make for an interesting interview, and an interesting post to follow.