Now we know what ChinaChinathe development model of rejected. Let us examine the path China has chosen. I would argue that China's success to date is a result of taking a path that worked with its history, tradition, values, and present circumstances. These are distinctly different from the liberal vision propagated by America. And China's choices and experience are becoming increasingly relevant today as a large number of developing countries are seeking new paths for their futures.
The world is evidently at a critical juncture in so many ways. China's oversized position in it will no doubt affect the future. What does China's development mean for the world and the order of the world? Here, we also encounter gross misrepresentations and misunderstandings. In this last chapter I present, only in broad strokes, how China, if properly understood and related to, could play a constructive role. And, unfortunately, the opposite would hold true as well.
In the following two chapters, I delve into the mechanics of how Chinese governance actually works. These are, by necessity, highly simplified versions of one of the most complex systems in the world. It is more appropriate to treat them like case studies rather than some sort of theoretical framework. To be specific, we study the who and the how of Chinese governance.
After ChinaChinathe United States and rejected the Soviet model and developed quickly with market reforms, the world very much expected the country to then at least gradually embrace the American model of liberalism. But again, the Chinese party-state said no.
We now hear many in the West complain that they got China wrong. Judging from the current problems between the West and China, it is apparently the case indeed. I venture to suggest that the culprit was Western media and politicians who, due to their biases and need for political expediency, for decades misrepresented China to their publics.
