1980s (coining the term ‘Thatcherism’ among other things), Martin Jacques has consistently proved a provocative and original thinker. His passion these days is China, and he has a book out – When China Rules the World: the Rise of the Middle Kingdom and the End of the Western World. Check out this fascinating TED talk on how the West understands China (or fails to). Westerners are ‘arrogant and ignorant – they refuse to address issues of difference’. He specifies three such areas: China is a ‘civilization state’, not a nation state; the unique importance of race; and the particular relationship between state and society. Damn, now I’ll have to add his book to my reading pile.
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