China: Strategic Culture Questions

Abstract

Liu Ji, former Deputy Chairman of the China Academy of Social Sciences, was quoted as saying, "Individualism, if expanded beyond control, is just like cancer to society. (Individualism) is not suitable for China." (Hong Kong South China Morning Post, 13 Feb 01) He cited Chinese cultural values, such as collectivism, as a better choice for China. However, individualism is an integral component of capitalism in the west. It is viewed in a positive light, responsible for encouraging entrepreneurship, education for upward mobility purposes, and productivity in the workplace. What do you think of Liu Ji's view that individualism is not desirable in China? If individualism is not desirable, how will collectivist practices encourage individuals to work hard, produce at high levels, and invest in the economy? How will the entrepreneurs who already comprise the wealthy elite fit into a 'collective' model?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA442498

Entities

People

  • Lisa S. Disbrow

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chinese Language
  • Commerce
  • Counterterrorism
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Defense Planning
  • Economic Policy
  • Economic Systems
  • Geographic Regions
  • Governments
  • Hong Kong
  • Language
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Social Sciences
  • Societies
  • Students
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Economics
  • Organizational Psychology.