About This Book

- China and the West have very different histories, cultures, and economic systems. - China's economy is based on agricultural production and is centrally planned, while the West's economy is based on trade and capitalism. - China's communist system has been successful and is deeply embedded in its society and culture. - China's constitution and government structure reflect its communist ideals and commitment to the well-being of its citizens. - China's leaders have a long-term vision and plan for the country's development, while Western leaders are often influenced by corporate interests and lack true power.

Top Highlights

• China and the West could not be more different. Western civilization is founded on Greek philosophy, culture, politics and economy. Ancient Greece was composed of hundreds of relatively small, independent city-states, which on a daily basis, were comparatively isolated from each other. They were separated by water or mountain ranges,  ensconced in ...
• The notion of personal agency in the West is founded in this economic system, where farmers, landowners, merchants and craftsmen were able to work and make business decisions individually, between themselves. Each city-state had its own independent government and over the centuries, there were phases of monarchy, oligarchy, tyranny and democracy. L...
• Ancient and modern China could not be more radically different. Life, the economy and development all revolved around a large central government, headed by the emperor. Instead of being based on trade and commerce, China’s economy has always been founded on agricultural production and the harvests were and still are largely sold to the state. Why? ...
• The idea of independent city-states is anathema in China, as it always signaled a breakdown in the central power’s cohesion and governance, from border to border, leading to warlordism, strife and hunger. China’s landmass dwarfed Ancient Greece, with most dynasties being responsible for a country the size of Europe and more, and the overwhelming se...
• How successful has China’s 5,000-year centralized communist system and society been, and continues to be today? A comparison of China’s and Europe’s 15th century maritime exploration is a good barometer. Chinese Admiral Zheng He made seven voyages to Asia, Indonesia, Arabia and Africa, 1407-1421, a full three generations before Christopher Columbus...