Moving Forward from CrisesMoving Forward from Crises::

Historical Review & Future Vision Historical Review & Future Vision of the US and Chinaof the US and China

Wanli HuWanli Hu

OLLI CenterOLLI CenterOctober 10 – December 5,2012October 10 – December 5,2012

Objectives TodayObjectives Today1.Instructor Introduction2.Rational of this course3.How to make best use of course

resources: review course calendar, website & readings

4.Two challenges of this course5.Self-introduction of the participants6.Learn useful Chinese basics

Self IntroductionSelf IntroductionProfessor Sturm

Rational of the CourseRational of the CourseReason 1.

Comparison between the US in the 21st century and China in the 19th century

China in 1790sChina in 1790sThe largest economy (1/3 GDP of

the world)The most powerful, most

prosperous & most influential country in Asia

China in the 19China in the 19thth Century CenturySinocentrismSinocentrismEmperor Qianlong met Lord Macartney Emperor Qianlong met Lord Macartney

Emperor Qianlong met Lord Emperor Qianlong met Lord Macartney in 1793Macartney in 1793

Great Britain requested open trade with China.

Emperor’s reply to Macartney:“We possess all things. I set no value on objects

strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country’s manufactures.”

“It behooves you, O King, to respect my sentiments and to display even greater devotion and loyalty in future, so that, by perpetual submission to our Throne, you may secure peace and prosperity for your country thereafter.”

Consequence of Qing’s Consequence of Qing’s sinocentrismsinocentrismafter 1840 after 1840

Great Britain, France invaded China from 1840-1860

Japan destroyed China’s navy in 1895Eight powers invaded China in 1900China lost: Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan…… war reparations of 450,000,000 taels of fine

silver, equivalent in 2010 to US$61 billion on a purchasing power parity basis

A century of humiliation“Son of Heaven” became “East Asian Sickman”

The World and US in 1980s & 1990sThe World and US in 1980s & 1990s The Tiananman incident in 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 Fall of socialist countries in

Eastern Europe Collapse of the Soviet Union in

1991 US-the only superpower in the

world

“The End of History?”

““The End of History” The End of History”

Francis Fukuyama published his provocative essay:

The collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe signaled the end of historical progress and the de facto victory of liberal democracy over all other forms of political ideology

Neo-conservatism-Neo-conservatism-The Washington ConsensusThe Washington Consensus

Domestically:◦Market fundamentalism

Internationally:◦Unilateralism

Crises/Challenges from 1990s Crises/Challenges from 1990s to 2010sto 2010sBurst of high tech bubble in 1990s9.11 attacks in 2001America was dragged into a war of

Afghanistan in 2001The Iraq War in 2003Financial Crisis in 2008Debt crisisGlobalization’s challenges……

Reason 2.Crisis and Reason 2.Crisis and OpportunityOpportunity

“Crisis” in Chinese Expression危机 ◦ 危 (wei) crisis◦ 机 (Ji) opportunity

How to change current crises into future opportunities?

The Artist A new perspective (US, China, past and

future)

A Letter to America by David Boren

The history of our country demonstrates that we Americans are natural problem solvers. Again and gain, when we have come to understand the problems we face, we have come together to find a way to solve them.

A Letter to America by David Boren

Two ChallengesTwo ChallengesNew course with so many

historical events for several hundred years

To teach fish how to swim

Recommended BooksRecommended Books

Self-introduction of the Self-introduction of the participantsparticipants

Useful Chinese BasicsUseful Chinese Basics你好 （ knee how) Hello

谢谢 (sheh sheh), Thank you

再见 (sai jian) Bye/See you again

ThankThank youyou!!谢谢！谢谢！再见！再见！

Questions?(Boston, Hingham, Plymouth)