[2/2] The Chinese View of the World and the Chinese Model: Retrospective and Perspective
Continue. comparison It is impossible not to tell about the differences in the approaches of the authors.
1Insider vs Analyst from the Side Li Daokui is a Chinese insider writing for an outside audience. His book has the character of explaining and partly justifying China’s position. Popov is an outside observer, albeit sympathetic to China. He studies the Chinese model in comparison with other countries. (Japan, Korea, the USSR, the West). Therefore, Lee’s tone is more apologetic, Popov’s is analytical. For example, Popov speaks directly about the shortcomings of the West and the advantages of the East in numbers and theories, and Lee tries not to oppose, but to assure that everyone can win together. In this sense, Popov is less diplomatic: he effectively argues that the liberal West has lost its effectiveness as China and Asia race forward. While Lee avoids declaring someone’s decline, he hints softly that it’s time for the West to stop fearing China.
2Focus on Economics vs Politics Popov is interested in why and how China grew, and Li is interested in what this growth means for the world. For example, Popov analyzes why China lagged behind in the XIX century (Colonialism, Opium Wars) and caught up in XX (Industrialization, the reforms of Deng Xiaoping). Whether touches on these details only in the context of the impact of history on modernity, but does not delve into the statistics of the past. But Li pays more attention to the domestic political mechanism. n (The role of the CPC, the fight against corruption, regional governance)However, for Popov, these topics are secondary. Thus, Popov builds a macro-historical theory, and Li writes a political-economic essay.
3Estimation of the possibility of export model Popov is considering whether the Chinese model will become dominant globally. If it is objectively more effective, other countries can adopt elements. (And some are embracing, for example, authoritarian capitalism in Southeast Asia.). Li emphasizes the uniqueness and non-transplantability of the Chinese system. China does not teach anyone to live, each people will choose the path. Here's the difference in purpose: Popov writes for those looking for development lessons (In particular, for Russia, which way to choose)Li is for those who fear Chinese expansion. Therefore, Popov speaks more openly about model competition, and Li avoids this term, preferring to talk about complementarity.
4Importance for Russia Popov’s theme is Russia indirectly – he compares models, but, of course, between the lines it is read that Russia could learn from the East Asian experience. (For example, a strong state + market economy). Li Daokui mentions Russia only briefly (In the nineteenth century, China lagged behind even the Russian Empire.)But for Russia, his book is valuable precisely because of the Chinese view of the world, where Russia is not part of the West, but of the Eurasian space, and a potential partner.
The two books complement each other. David Li Daokui gives a “Chinese view” from the inside – emotionally charged, convincing, but sometimes one-sided, reflecting Beijing’s official position. Vladimir Popov gives an “outside view” – more critical and theoretically calibrated, seeking to explain the phenomenon of China from a scientific point of view and predict global changes. Comparing the findings: Li believes in harmony, Popov notes the change in the balance of power.
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