The Mind of Empire: China\u27s History and Modern Foreign Relations

In the last century, no other nation has grown and transformed itself with such zeal as China. With a booming economy, a formidable military, and a rapidly expanding population, China is emerging as a twenty-first-century global superpower. China\u27s prosperity has increased dramatically in the last two decades, propelling the nation to a prominent position in the international community. Yet China\u27s ancient history still informs and shapes its understanding of itself in relation to the world. As a highly developed and modern nation, China is something of a paradox. Though China is an international leader in modern business and technology, its past remains a source of guiding principles for the nation\u27s foreign policy. This book demonstrates how China\u27s historical awareness shapes its objectives and how the resulting national consciousness continues to influence the country\u27s policymaking. Despite its increasing prominence among modern, developed nations, China continues to seek guidance from a past characterized by Confucian notions of hierarchical political order and a “moral geography” that places China at the center of the civilized world. The book describes how these attitudes have clashed with traditional Western ideals of sovereignty and international law. It speculates about how China\u27s legacy may continue to shape its foreign relations and offers a warning about the potential global consequences. The book examines major themes in China\u27s conception of domestic and global political order, describes key historical precedents, and outlines the remarkable continuity of China\u27s Sinocentric stance.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_political_science_international_relations/1027/thumbnail.jp