China Watch:

John King Fairbank

Published by Harvard University Press 1987

China Watch

John King Fairbank

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674368422

Overview
Contents

About this book

America’s top China–watcher, the renowned pandit of modern Chinese history, here provides an unrivaled overview of revolutionary China and Chinese–American relations. His reviews and critical commentary scrutinize our always fascinated, often puzzled attitude toward this newly emergent superpower.

John Fairbank distinguishes two major motifs in recent Chinese–American connections: the American expectation of highly profitable trade and investment, which so far have not materialized, and the deep–rooted missionary impulse to give the Chinese the best of our culture, which includes our efforts to promote human rights. The possibility of grafting our ideas of individual endeavor and God–given prerogatives onto two thousand years of Confucianism with its emphasis on duty and collective harmony seems remote. In contrast, the outlook for mutually enriching economic dealings is much brighter. Yet Fairbank cautions that we are dealing with a huge and disoriented nation struggling to enter the modern world with its own cultural identity intact, and (at least in the current period) with its Communist Party in power. Confucian tenets still prevail: theory and practice are a unity policies are a form of conduct manifesting one’s character, and attacks on policy equal attacks on the ruling party.

These writings concern China in the mind’s eye of America—as it is interpreted though the works of American merchants, diplomats, missionaries, and reporters observing China’s travail of revolution. For generalist, scholar, and sage alike, China Watch offers many insights.

Author information

Fairbank John King :

John King Fairbank was Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History and Director of the East Asian Research Center at Harvard University.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
PREFACE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
INTRODUCTION: The Growth of Chinese History in American Minds Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
PART ONE: New Views of Imperialism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
PART TWO: Penetrating Mao’s China Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	65
PART THREE: The Road to Normalization Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
PART FOUR: The Cultural Revolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
PART FIVE: Fallout: America’s Disillusioned Optimism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177
Afterword Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Edition: Reprint 2014
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Front matter: 8
- Main content: 219
Keywords: China -- History -- 1949-; China -- Relations -- United States.; United States -- Relations -- China.

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674368422

Hardcover

Published: February 5, 1987
ISBN: 9780674368415