The Rising Chinese Dream

Moreover, throughout the history of Asia, it was common knowledge that the Asian order would always be Sinocentric. All roads lead to China. There was an unwritten code of sorts and mutual understanding that the Asian order is and will be Sinocentric. And while the rise of the Eurocentric order disrupted business as usual in Asia, things are beginning to go back to normal, in the sense that the Sinocentric order is not only reemerging in Asia, but the Sinocentric order has the potential to become global as well, given the virtual collapse of the Eurocentric order in recent years. There is also a marked difference between the rise of the Eurocentric order from a few centuries ago and the rise of the Sinocentric order today, in the sense that the former was marred with intra-European wars and social strife, whereas the latter consists of a historic and unwritten code and mutual understanding. 

In turn, the virtual collapse of the Eurocentric order as a result of wars and a major global financial crisis which China managed to avoid means that the liberal bourgeoisie class and the liberal bourgeoisie state has become morally and intellectually bankrupt and superfluous. As a result of this intellectual and moral bankruptcy and superfluity, what has arisen in recent times is the political left and the political right in Western political and social life. It is worth noting that the political left and the political right are virtually identical and are mirror images of one another in terms of the basics and essentials, in the sense that both the political left and the political right see the liberal bourgeoisie class and the liberal bourgeoisie state as the main problem that has to be dealt with. The two differ only in terms of ontological condition, in the sense that the left is driven by revolution, while the right is driven by anger. And by containing, confining, and stifling the left, the liberal bourgeoisie class and liberal bourgeoisie state has enabled the rise of the right in Western political and social life. And eventually, populist and right-wing anger will lead the Eurocentric order to ruin, thus taking us all to either hell or back to the Stone Age and thus cementing the rise of the Sinocentric order in due time. 

And many people around the world are buying the idea of a Sinocentric global order. As Brzezinski noted: “For the many who crave a vision of a more relevant future than offered by the waning ‘American dream,’ China is beginning to offer a new option, that of the rising Chinese dream.” 

In terms of America’s place in East Asia in the future, it will be defined in large part by whether U.S.-Chinese relations evolve into either accommodation or antagonism. Brzezinski argued: “Which of these two becomes more likely will depend on two fundamental considerations: how America will respond to an ascending China, and how China itself will evolve.” So far, China has evolved into a more militaristic force, with flyovers over Taiwan, pestering of American forces in the region, refusing to answer American phone calls and diplomatic gestures, and bullying the Philippines. In turn, America has responded to China’s rise with belligerence and paranoia. In turn, and as Brzezinski noted: “The acumen and maturity of both nations are likely to be severely tested in the process, and stakes for each will be enormous.”

Can the two sides steer away from their current course of action and become partners? That is perhaps the ultimate question and the ultimate goal of the two sides in the near future. But it is easier said than done, given the path dependence and the fact that the two sides may only double down on their current course of action and strategies and given that one is accustomed to their strategy while the other has by now ascribed to the belief that what has not broken yet should not be corrected or fixed. But most importantly, one is in need of a renewal, while the other one is rising, and that fact alone can make all the difference in the world in terms of the ultimate result and outcome of this geopolitical contest and struggle.