Understanding China

Center Stage of the Fourth Power

By Yanan Ju

Subjects: Economics
Series: SUNY series in International Management
Paperback : 9780791431221, 181 pages, September 1996
Hardcover : 9780791431214, 181 pages, September 1996
Out of print (Hardcover)

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Table of contents

Preface

1.  Beijing: The Year 2000

2.  The Emergence of the Fourth Power

3.  A Common Cultural/Business Framework: The Key to Understanding Doing Business in China

4.  Democracy or Benevolent Authoritarianism?

5.  Can an Economically Booming China Survive a Systematically and Morally Corrupt China?

6.  Education Holds China's Future

7.  The Chinese Family: The Most Sustainable Resource of the Fourth Power

Appendices

I.  Administrative Divisions of the People's Republic of China

II.  Main Social and Economic Indicators of the People's Republic of China

III.  Main Social and Economic Indicators of Taiwan

IV.  Main Social and Economic Indicators of Hong Kong

V.  China's Lunar-Calendar-Based Traditional Festivals and Solar-Calendar-Based Holidays

VI.  Table of Chinese Dynasties

Notes

Index

An analysis of Chinese economic and political behaviors from a cultural perspective. Discusses the importance of understanding how the Chinese do business among themselves and with others.

Description

Using empirical research data and his first-hand experiences, the author argues that (1) the Fourth Economic Power is truly emerging with mainland China being the center stage, and the Chinese Diaspora being the key players; (2) understanding guanxi (connections), among other things, represents the key to understanding doing business in China; (3) China is not yet ready for democracy; benevolent authoritarianism will most likely define China's political life; (4) China's corruption problem—either of a structural nature or a moral nature—is solvable; (5) education holds China's future; and (6) Chinese family can be the most sustainable resource of the Fourth Power.

Yanan Ju lived in China for 40 years and is currently Professor in the Communication Department at Central Connecticut State University. He has authored many books, including Organizational Teamwork in High-Speed Management (with Donald P. Cushman) and The Great Wall in Ruins: Communication and Cultural Change in China (with Godwin C. Chu), both published by SUNY Press.

Reviews

"Fascinating! The author has a unique perspective and is able to bring special insights to bear on an enormously complex topic. His conclusions and recommendations may be controversial; not everyone will agree. But everyone seriously interested in the future of China will want to read and consider his position." — Randall Harrison, University of California

"A very interesting book which merits publication because it's so different in the perspectives it provides, enriching understanding of the range of nuances to Chinese society. I particularly enjoyed chapter 3—which would be very useful to businesses hoping to find markets in China." — Duane Varan, University of Hawaii