Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power

Xuetong Yan, Daniel A. Bell, Sun Zhe , Edmund Ryden

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English

Princeton University Pres
04 November 2013

History; Political leaders & leadership; International relations

Series: The Princeton-China Series

"The rise of China could be the most important political development of the twenty-first century. What will China look like in the future? What should it look like? And what will China's rise mean for the rest of world? This book, written by China's most influential foreign policy thinker, sets out a vision for the coming decades from China's point of view. In the West, Yan Xuetong is often regarded as a hawkish policy advisor and enemy of liberal internationalists. But a very different picture emerges from this book, as Yan examines the lessons of ancient Chinese political thought for the future of China and the development of a ""Beijing consensus"" in international relations. Yan, it becomes clear, is neither a communist who believes that economic might is the key to national power, nor a neoconservative who believes that China should rely on military might to get its way. Rather, Yan argues, political leadership is the key to national power, and morality is an essential part of political leadership.

Economic and military might are important components of national power, but they are secondary to political leaders who act in accordance with moral norms, and the same holds true in determining the hierarchy of the global order. Providing new insights into the thinking of one of China's leading foreign policy figures, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in China's rise or in international relations. In a new preface, Yan reflects on his arguments in light of recent developments in Chinese foreign policy, including the selection of a new leader in 2012."

By: Xuetong Yan
Edited by: Daniel A. Bell, Sun Zhe
Translated by: Edmund Ryden
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9780691160214
ISBN 10: 069116021X
Series: The Princeton-China Series
Pages: 314
Publication Date: 04 November 2013
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

"Acknowledgments vii A Note on the Translation ix Preface to the Paperback Edition xi Introduction by Daniel A. Bell 1 PART I: Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power Chapter 1: A Comparative Study of Pre-Qin Interstate Political Philosophy byYan Xuetong 21 Chapter 2: Xunzi's Interstate Political Philosophy and Its Message for Today by Yan Xuetong 70 Chapter 3: Hegemony in The Stratagems of the Warring States by Yan Xuetong and Huang Yuxing 107 PART II: Comments Chapter 4: An Examination of the Research Theory of Pre-Qin Interstate Political Philosophy byYang Qianru 147 Chapter 5: The Two Poles of Confucianism: A Comparison of the Interstate Political Philosophies of Mencius and Xunzi by Xu Jin 161 Chapter 6: Political Hegemony in Ancient China: A Review of ""Hegemony in The Stratagems of the Warring States"" by Wang Rihua 181 PART III: Response to the Commentators Chapter 7: Pre-Qin Philosophy and China's Rise Today by Yan Xuetong 199 Appendix 1: The Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods and the Pre-Qin Masters by Xu Jin 223 Appendix 2: Yan Xuetong: A Realist Scholar Clinging to Scientific Prediction by Lu Xin 229 Appendix 3: Why Is There No Chinese School of International Relations Theory? By Yan Xuetong 252 Notes 261 Select Bibliography 283 Contributors 291 Index 293"

Yan Xuetong is professor of political science and director of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing. His many books include The Rise of China and Its Strategy , International Politics and China , and American Hegemony and China's Security .

Reviews for Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power

Fascinating. -- Timothy Garton Ash Guardian A path-breaking project. -- Hang Lin Politics and Religion Journal [T]his collection of essays, mostly by Beijing-based foreign affairs expert and academic Yan Xuetong and beautifully translated by Edmund Ryden, is thought-provoking and worth looking at. -- Kerry Brown Asian Affairs A bold attempt to introduce ancient Chinese perspectives on international relations theory, Yan Xuetong's book is a timely contribution to the literature relevant to China's rise in the international stage. -- Lik Hang Tsui Journal of International and Global Studies This book is a valuable addition to our knowledge of the way in which influential intellectuals are thinking in the People's Republic, and shows once more their recognition of problems and contradictions often overlooked in the West confronted by China's rise. -- Jonathan Fenby Times Higher Education Yan, a professor at Tsinghua University and one of China's most influential foreign policy analysts and theorists of international relations, has given us an innovative and thought-provoking analysis of ancient Chinese philosophy. t Dessein, Journal of Chinese Philosophy [I] found Dr. Henry A. Kissinger's comment that it is 'a fascinating study' very much to the point... Given China's growing influence in the world right now, the work should no doubt have a wider readership than might appear the case prima facie. Princeton University Press should be congratulated on producing such a handsome volume. It can be highly recommended for library purchase in its hardback edition. -- Malcolm Warner Asia Pacific Business Review [F]or those who welcome a China that is increasingly active at the global level, as well as for those who do not, it seems the time is right to thoroughly engage with the ideas and proposals of prominent Chinese thinkers today like Yan Xuetong. By putting his grand vision for a Chinese 'superpower modelled on humane authority' to the test before it becomes a possible political reality, we will have gained a greater appreciation of China's cultural heritage and, following that, a glimpse at its possible political future. -- Mark Chou Australian Review of Public Affairs While parts of this nicely translated book might be too specific for the general reader, the volume provides stimulating insights not only into the rich world of ancient Chinese thought, but also into the way contemporary Chinese thinkers see the world today. In this respect, the excellent introduction by Daniel Bell and a long interview with Xuetong in the appendix are especially rewarding. -- Michael Rochlitz Political Studies Review