Made in China: Assignment
China's economic growth

"The "city of the century" then was to the explosive growth of the American West what Chongqing , in many ways, is to the renaissance of China in the twenty-first century."
"Historically, the biggest constraints on growth have come mainly from three sources: political conflict rooted in a clash of interests or ideologies; social stress arising from economic disparities that produce misery amid wealth; and, finally, and increasingly in the future, ecological constraints on growth."

Be sure to "convince" me you have done the readings in your answer to these questions that you will prepare for class.

Part 1

1a. What is it that Kynge sees in Chicago's past that helps understand Chongqing's future? Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

1b. China's growth has been remarkable, but why has it grown so fast - and what does the future hold? These are important questions addressed by Bergsten, and you job is to provide answers to these questions. Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

Part 2

Is your world going to be safer or more dangerous than my world? This is the question you will be looking into here, and as a primer you'll read a chapter from Paul Kennedy's book and an article by Samuel Huntington. As you read these make note of the times when they were written - Huntington in 1993 and Kennedy in 1987.

1a. (Group A) Is the world safer or more dangerous as a result of China's recent economic rise? Are we at a time where there will be a shift in the world's balance of power - and if so, what can we expect from the upcoming shift based on Kennedy's view of the past.  Will your lives be dominated by a US - China conflict as mine was dominated by a US-USSR conflict? Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

1b. (Group L) What does Huntington tell us about the world he sees you living in - and how is it different from the one that us baby boomers lived through? Is there reason to see more peace in your world?  Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

2a. (Group A). What does Bijian tell us about China's "peaceful rise" - and can we expect more of the same? Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

2b. (Group L). What does Hoge tell us about a global power shift - and how will it affect us? Be prepared to present your answer to the class.

Readings

  1. *Bijian_"China's 'peaceful rise' to great-power status, Foreign Affairs
  2. *Hoge, "A global power shift in the making," Foreign Affairs July/August 2004
  3. *Huntington, "The clash of civilizations," Foreign Affairs Summer 1993
  4. *Kennedy, Introduction to the rise and fall of great powers
  5. *"The breakup of China and our interest in it," Atlantic Monthly 1899

Part 3

1a. What is in China's future - democratization or disorder? This is the question posed by Bergsten and those who are not privy to this work need to know the answer. Be prepared to present your answer to the class

1b. Is democracy in China's future - and what role does social trust play in your answer? These are issues addressed by Kynge and those who are not privy to this work need to have an understanding of these questions. Be prepared to present your answer to the class

2. What are the major obstacles to China's economic growth? You are to prepare a list of five constraints on China's continued economic growth. Be prepared to present your list to the class

3. What were the choices faced by the Chinese leadership in 1989 during the Tiananmen Square uprising - and how do you think their ultimate decision was based on China's past? Group A will take the Chinese side and defend the decision while Group L will take the US side and condemn it - and provide a justification for an alternative move.  Be prepared to present your position to the class.

Readings

  1. Bergsten Ch. 3, Kynge Ch. 7 & 8,
  2. *Gilboy, "The myth behind China's miracle," Foreign Affairs J/A 2004
  3. *Hale & Hale, "China takes off," Foreign Affairs N/D 2003
  4. *Kurlantzick, "The unsettled west," Foreign Affairs J/A 2004