Thanks for clearly presenting the view that Chinese leaders even today take their lessons from history. In the Chinese case, the alternative source would not be a constitution so much as Marxist-Leninist doctrine, which seems to be on the way out.
I wonder if the structures and systems of the modern world have reduced the ability of any nation to chart its own relatively independent course. How much history have the current generation of Chinese leaders actually imbibed, growing up at a time when the tradition was on the defensive? Another question is whether China, for the first time part of a global civilization, has had little choice but to carry out its modern imperatives: nation-state competition, production and consumption focus at the expense of culture, environmental destruction, increasing social alienation, etc.
I’d say that the modern, or what we often call Western way of understanding and running a country works more as a supplement to traditional perspectives, rather than a replacement.
A lot of these “lessons” are woven into everyday entertainment, like xiqu and other forms of drama. I’ve actually written another article that looks at xiqu in more detail. Another major channel is the education system, especially through the study of classical Chinese.
This is brilliant, a perfect primer for 外国人 to understand the present. Thanks much.
Thanks for clearly presenting the view that Chinese leaders even today take their lessons from history. In the Chinese case, the alternative source would not be a constitution so much as Marxist-Leninist doctrine, which seems to be on the way out.
I wonder if the structures and systems of the modern world have reduced the ability of any nation to chart its own relatively independent course. How much history have the current generation of Chinese leaders actually imbibed, growing up at a time when the tradition was on the defensive? Another question is whether China, for the first time part of a global civilization, has had little choice but to carry out its modern imperatives: nation-state competition, production and consumption focus at the expense of culture, environmental destruction, increasing social alienation, etc.
I’d say that the modern, or what we often call Western way of understanding and running a country works more as a supplement to traditional perspectives, rather than a replacement.
A lot of these “lessons” are woven into everyday entertainment, like xiqu and other forms of drama. I’ve actually written another article that looks at xiqu in more detail. Another major channel is the education system, especially through the study of classical Chinese.
Thanks, interesting to read.
Very informative and interesting article.