Friedberg - A Contest for Supremacy

xiaophil
 December 05, 2011, 09:04 PM posted in General Discussion

I just finished A Contest for Supremacy by Aaron Friedberg. I quite liked it. It does take the opinion that America and Western nations should prepare for the worst in regards to what role China will eventually pursue in East Asia, but unlike some other books that take a similar position, this one doesn't play on fears. Friedberg makes his case quite logically and dispassionately through facts.

As my wife is Chinese and my daughter is half Chinese, I hope Friedberg turns out to be quite wrong, but nevertheless, only fools don't try to look at all possibilities.

Next on my list:  The Private Life of Chairman Mao by Dr. Li Zhisui per RJ's suggestion. Bodawei and Jenny made some suggestions I hope to get around to too. I would like to hear any other suggestions any of you have!

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podster
 December 06, 2011, 04:54 AM

I just caught a bit of an interview with Niall Ferguson, author of Civilization: the West and the Rest.

You might enjoy that.  I was intrigued and will look for the book.

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xiaophil

Okay, thanks! Does that feature prominently China? (Not that that is important.)

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podster

I think Ferguson does include a lot about China. He has his own take on the "China takes over the world" scenario, and has actually spent time in China, if I recall correctly. I only caught a few minutes of the interview.

Here are some excerpts from a review on Amazon:

"This is a bold, confrontational, contentious and provocative thesis and his new book reinforces these arguments postulating that there were six killer "apps" which propelled the West to a position of predominance. These were competition, science, property, modern science, consumption and work ethic all with a dedicated chapter in the book.

Space precludes a detailed debate on each theme but for example he contrasts how China was the world's most advanced civilization in the 15th century but stagnated and was overtaken by Dutch mercantilism and the rise of capitalism employing his six "skills". "

and a negative comment from the same review:

"His ability however to take a small example and write it large often leads to accusations of research selectivity and the fact that the successful Chinese business city Wenzou also has 1,400 churches is used to tie some of his "apps" together in what is a very unconvincing argument."