Jinghao Zhou, Chinese vs. Western Perspectives: Understanding Contemporary China

摘要

Jinghao Zhou asks important questions in his attempt at "Understanding Contemporary China," as his book's sub-title states. As a result of grappling with big issues, his work provides a good text for an introductory course on contemporary Chinese politics. The book's title, "Chinese vs. Western Perspectives," however, ultimately misleads the reader. Neither China nor Europe is one dimensional or unchanging; in fact, both are rich and diverse. Yet Zhou equates democracy with Western culture and despotism with China's cultural inheritance. If China's culture is deep, determinative and despotic, why did Mao feel a need to "fight against whatever Western countries support; support whatever Western countries fight against" (189)?