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David Daokui Li, Wang Hui, and Yan Xuetong

China, one of the world’s oldest countries, is currently undergoing massive political, social and economic changes. The rapid emergence of China as a key player in the global political and economic landscape has led many to question how China’s decision makers perceive today’s world. What are their views on major global affairs? How does Chinese history and philosophy shape their outlook of the world? What are the prospects for China’s future economic growth?

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China, one of the world’s oldest countries, is currently undergoing massive political, social and economic changes. The rapid emergence of China as a key player in the global political and economic landscape has led many to question how China’s decision makers perceive today’s world. What are their views on major global affairs? How does Chinese history and philosophy shape their outlook of the world? What are the prospects for China’s future economic growth?

This course helps learners understand the rise of modern China from an insiders’ perspective with insight from three of China’s leading social philosophy, international relations and economic experts.

What you'll learn

  • Part 1 : China’s worldview, what makes China unique, challenges China is facing and how the country may overcome these
  • Part 2 : History of China’s development over the past 100 years, political issues that China is facing, and self-corrective mechanisms in China’s political system.
  • Part 3 : History of China’s foreign policy, how China’s diplomacy has evolved and factors that determine China’s current foreign policy strategy.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • : china’s worldview, what makes china unique, challenges china is facing and how the country may overcome these
  • : history of china’s development over the past 100 years, political issues that china is facing, and self-corrective mechanisms in china’s political system.
  • : history of china’s foreign policy, how china’s diplomacy has evolved and factors that determine china’s current foreign policy strategy.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines factors that determine foreign policy in China
Covers political issues that China faces
Taught by three experts in social philosophy, international relations, and economics
Analyzes China's worldview
Offers insights into the rise of modern China
Develops an understanding of China's political system and its self-corrective mechanisms
May require students to take other courses first

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Reviews summary

China's rise: an insider view

According to learners, this course offers a unique perspective (positive) on China's rise, drawing directly from knowledgeable experts (positive) at Tsinghua University. Students say it provides a solid foundation (positive) and a valuable overview of China's history, politics, economy, and foreign policy. However, some reviewers noted concerns regarding a potential lack of critical analysis (warning) and felt the 'insider' view sometimes resembled an official narrative (warning). It is generally seen as a good introduction (positive) but may lack depth (warning) for those seeking advanced understanding.
Good foundational overview.
"This course is a great starting point for anyone looking to understand modern China."
"It covers the key historical, political, and economic points well enough to get a broad picture."
"Provides a clear and logical structure for approaching such a complex and vast topic."
Professors are highly knowledgeable.
"The professors are clearly experts in their fields and present the material effectively."
"I found the lectures engaging and very informative thanks to the instructors' expertise."
"Appreciated the depth of knowledge brought by the instructors from their academic and professional backgrounds."
Offers a rare look from within China.
"Hearing directly from Tsinghua professors gave me insights I wouldn't get elsewhere, a truly unique insider view."
"It was valuable to understand the Chinese viewpoint on global affairs and their historical context."
"Provides a necessary counterpoint to typical Western analysis, helping to see the topic from another side."
Good overview but superficial.
"Great introduction but doesn't delve deeply enough into specific issues or alternative viewpoints."
"While broad, the course could benefit from more detailed exploration of certain complex topics like internal political dynamics."
"It left me wanting more detailed information on economic reforms and their societal impacts."
Some perceive lack of critical analysis.
"I felt the 'insider perspective' leaned heavily towards the official state narrative and lacked critical examination."
"While informative, I wished there was more critical analysis of government policies and challenges."
"It's important to view this course through a critical lens, comparing it with other sources to get a balanced view."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Will China Rise as a Disruptive Force? The Insiders’ Perspective with these activities:
Review Chinese History and Philosophy
This will help you develop a better grasp of the complex history and philosophical landscape of China before delving into the course content.
Browse courses on Chinese History
Show steps
Read 'China's Grand Strategy and Military Power in the 21st Century'
This book provides valuable insights into the geopolitical dynamics and foreign policy of China in the contemporary era, enhancing your understanding of the course content.
Show steps
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes of key concepts and arguments.
  • Identify areas where the book aligns with or diverges from perspectives discussed in the course.
  • Summarize the book's main arguments and their implications for understanding China's role in global affairs.
Analyze Chinese Economic Development Data
By working with real-world data, you'll develop practical skills in evaluating China's economic trajectory and gain a deeper understanding of the course material.
Browse courses on Chinese Economy
Show steps
  • Acquire economic data from reliable sources such as the World Bank or IMF.
  • Clean and organize the data using appropriate tools.
  • Perform statistical analysis to identify trends and patterns.
  • Interpret the results and draw conclusions about China's economic development.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in Online Discussions and Peer Review
Engage with fellow students to exchange perspectives, provide feedback, and deepen your understanding of course topics through collaborative learning.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or study groups related to the course.
  • Actively participate in discussions, sharing your thoughts and asking questions.
  • Provide constructive feedback to your peers on their work or ideas.
Follow Tutorials on Chinese Foreign Policy
Engage with online tutorials to gain a deeper understanding of China's interactions with other nations and its global influence.
Show steps
  • Search for credible sources that provide tutorials on Chinese foreign policy.
  • Select tutorials that cover topics relevant to your interests and learning goals.
  • Follow the tutorials attentively, taking notes and asking questions where necessary.
  • Reflect on what you have learned and connect it to the course material.
Create a Timelime or Infographic on China's Historical Development
By synthesizing and presenting information in a visual format, you'll reinforce your understanding of China's historical trajectory and its implications for the present.
Browse courses on Chinese History
Show steps
  • Gather information on key events and milestones in Chinese history.
  • Organize the events chronologically and identify their significance.
  • Choose an appropriate format for your timeline or infographic, considering visual appeal and ease of understanding.
  • Design and create your visual representation.
Compile a List of Resources on China's Diplomatic Relations and Global Impact
By curating a collection of relevant resources, you'll expand your knowledge base on China's role in international affairs and gain access to valuable materials for future reference.
Show steps
  • Conduct research to identify credible sources on Chinese diplomatic relations and global impact.
  • Organize the resources into appropriate categories and subcategories.
  • Include a brief description or annotation for each resource to provide context and relevance.
Contribute to Open-Source Projects on China-Related Topics
By participating in open-source projects, you'll engage with a community of researchers and practitioners, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge on China.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab related to Chinese studies or related fields.
  • Choose a project that aligns with your interests and skills.
  • Contact the project maintainers to inquire about contributing opportunities.
  • Fork the project, make your contributions, and submit pull requests.

Career center

Learners who complete Will China Rise as a Disruptive Force? The Insiders’ Perspective will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Political Scientist
Political Scientists study how political systems work, including how they make and implement decisions. This course can help you to develop a deeper understanding of China's political system, including its history and self-corrective mechanisms. This can be valuable if you work on issues related to Chinese politics or governance.
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analysts research, analyze, and interpret public policy issues. This course may be useful if you work on issues related to China's political system, its economy, or its foreign policy.
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. This course may be useful if you work on issues related to China's economic development or if you work with communities that are impacted by China's economic growth.
International Relations Analyst
International Relations Analysts help governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations to understand and respond to global events and trends. This course can help you to develop a deeper understanding of China's foreign policy and diplomacy history.
Professor
Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. This course can help you to develop a deeper understanding of China's history, politics, and economics, which may be helpful if you teach or research on China.
Research Analyst
Research Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights to businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations. This course may be useful if you work on issues related to China's politics, economy, or society.
Foreign Policy Analyst
Foreign Policy Analysts study, monitor, and interpret political, social, and economic conditions abroad to help governments make informed decisions about their foreign relations. This course can provide helpful background information on China's foreign policy and diplomacy history.
Diplomat
Diplomats represent their countries abroad and work to build relationships with other countries. This course can help you to develop a deeper understanding of China's foreign policy and diplomacy history, which may be helpful if you work as a diplomat.
China Analyst
China Analysts provide businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations with insights on political, economic, social, and cultural trends in China. The course can help you to develop a deeper understanding of China's worldview and history, which may be helpful in your work.
Historian
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. This course may be useful if you work on issues related to China's history, including its politics, economics, or culture.
Economist
Economists study how people make decisions in the face of scarcity. They analyze data and develop models to advise businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations on economic issues. The course may be useful if you work on issues related to China's economy or economic development.
Journalist
Journalists research, analyze, interpret, and write about current events. This course may be useful if you work on issues related to China, including its politics, economics, or culture.
Business Consultant
Business Consultants help businesses to improve their performance. This course may be useful if you work with businesses that operate in China or if you work on issues related to China's economy.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of non-profit organizations. This course may be useful if you work for a non-profit organization that works on issues related to China.
Social Policy Advocate
Social Policy Advocates intervene on behalf of individuals and larger groups to promote reforms at the policy level. As an advocate, you might work in a specific issue area, such as education, health care, or affordable housing. This course may be useful in helping you better understand the political and economic changes that are facing many communities in China. This could be valuable if you work with marginalized or vulnerable populations that are likely to be impacted by these changes.

Reading list

We've selected 24 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Will China Rise as a Disruptive Force? The Insiders’ Perspective.
The Party detailed examination of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), its history, organization, and operation. It provides insights into the CCP's decision-making process and the challenges it faces. The book serves as a useful background resource for understanding China's political system.
Provides a comprehensive analysis of China's grand strategy and its implications for the future of the global order. It is particularly useful for understanding the long-term goals and objectives of China's foreign policy.
Understanding Contemporary China comprehensive introduction to contemporary China's politics, economy, and society. is useful as a general reference on China's development over the past 100 years and the challenges that China faces today.
China's Economic Rise offers a comprehensive analysis of China's economic development, from its early history to the present day. It explores the factors that have contributed to China's economic success and the challenges it faces going forward. provides additional depth to the course's examination of China's economic growth.
contains a well-articulated framework for understanding how power functions in the modern world. While this book is not specific to China per se, it provides an excellent background to position the course’s specific focus on China within larger international power dynamics.
China's Foreign Relations provides a historical overview of China's foreign policy from the late 19th century to the present day.
Provides a comprehensive overview of China's political system. It is particularly useful for understanding the historical development of China's political system and its current challenges.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Xi Jinping's rise to power and his vision for China's future. It is particularly useful for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing China under Xi's leadership.
Examines the political system of China and argues that it unique form of meritocracy that has been successful in delivering economic growth and social stability.
Chinese History comprehensive one-volume history of China from its earliest origins to the present day. It is useful as a general reference and provides background on China's history and culture.
Provides a comprehensive overview of China's economy. It is particularly useful for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing China's economy.
The People's Republic of China collection of primary source documents on China's history since 1949. It provides valuable historical background and context for the course.
Examines the challenges and opportunities facing China in the coming years. It is particularly useful for understanding China's foreign policy and its implications for the global order.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing China in the coming years. It is particularly useful for understanding China's economic challenges and its implications for the global order.
China's Political System textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of China's political system, including its history, institutions, and processes. It useful general reference for understanding China's political system.
Provides a comprehensive overview of China's relationship with Africa. It is particularly useful for understanding China's economic and political goals in Africa.
Provides a framework for understanding political risk and its implications for investors. It is particularly useful for understanding the political risks associated with investing in China.
The Chinese Economy offers a comprehensive overview of China's economic development, from its early history to the present day. useful reference for understanding China's economic development.
China's Global Role analyzes China's foreign policy and its impact on the global order. is useful for understanding China's role in global affairs.
China's Foreign Policy comprehensive overview of China's foreign policy, from its early history to the present day. is useful as a general reference on the history of China's foreign policy
Argues that China's authoritarian model of development is superior to the Western model of democracy. It controversial book, but it provides a valuable insight into the thinking of some Chinese policymakers.
Argues that China has a long-term strategy to replace the United States as the global superpower. It controversial book, but it provides a valuable insight into the thinking of some Chinese policymakers.
Chinese Politics provides a concise introduction to the main features of China's political system. is useful as a general reference on China's political system.

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