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It helps to know about the resurgence in Tianxia[1] ideology in China. It's vaguely analogous to the old American concept of Manifest Destiny, but with, of cour
by User23 7y ago
It helps to know about the resurgence in Tianxia[1] ideology in China. It's vaguely analogous to the old American concept of Manifest Destiny, but with, of course, a much longer history and far greater scope. What it basically comes down to is that in the pre-Westphalian era the Chinese world view was that China had sovereignty over everything under heaven. The Great Game dealt that world view a pretty harsh blow, but the Chinese people persevered and through industry and shrewdness have restored themselves to something like their historical standing. I don't expect them to stop here. Influence is almost as much of a drug as power, and testing it is self-reinforcing. Look at how China is making the NBA their whipping boy for another example.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianxia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianxia
- ycombonator 7y agoTIL about Tianxia. Thanks
- ta9413 7y agoNot so sure the modern Chinese generally still clings to that.. probably more 自强 than 天下 (Tianxia) For the past 50 years the global cultural viewpoint is largely Western (used loosely here)... it would be not practical to think that will always be the case, or has been the case for much of human history. Using an easy to digest example of "individual freedom and unbridled freedom of expression" vs "know your place and be humble in your speech and actions"... <do your own thought scenario analysis> ... The middle is very quiet... are they forced to be so? It's almost like two rival gangs fighting and a couple of old folks stepping in to try to restore peace. Both gangs will slaughter the old folks and then carry on fighting.
- throw0101a 7y agoAnd where could an English-speaking Westerner learn more about "自强"?
- dvfjsdhgfv 7y agoFor an accessible and convincing (albeit controversial) presentation of this concept, see the movie Hero: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_(2002_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_(2002_film)