The Mind of Empire: China's History and Modern Foreign Relations

Front Cover

C h r i s to p h e r a. F o r d the mind of empire Ford kentucky “There is already a significant body of analysis in international relations theory suggesting that China’s rise to power will result in new hierarchies both in Asia and globally. Now Christopher A. Ford’s remarkable new book, The Mind of Empire, demonstrates that such hierarchies will arise not merely because of the mechanical interactions of various structural forces but because China, thanks to its history and worldview, will consciously seek to create geopolitical structures of superand subordination that favor it. The implications of this reading for peace and stability in Asia are enormous, and all those concerned about the rise of China will profit immensely from a close reading of Ford’s analysis.” —Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace In the last century, no other nation has grown and transformed itself with such zeal as China. With a booming economy, a formidable military, and a rapidly expanding population, China is emerging as a twenty-first-century global superpower . China’s prosperity has increased dramatically in the last two decades, propelling the nation to a prominent position in the international community. Yet China’s ancient history still informs and shapes its understanding of itself in relation to the world. As a highly developed and modern nation, China is something of a paradox. Though China is an international leader in modern business and technology, its past remains a source of guiding principles for the nation’s foreign policy. In The Mind of Empire: China’s History and Modern Foreign Relations, Christopher A. Ford demonstrates how China’s historical awareness shapes its objectives and how the resulting national consciousness continues to influence the country’s policymaking. Despite its increasing prominence among modern, developed nations, China continues to seek guidance from a past characterized by Confucian notions of hierarchical political order and a “moral geography” that places China at the center of the civilized world. The Mind of Empire describes how these attitudes have clashed with traditional Western ideals of sovereignty and international law. Ford speculates about how China’s legacy may continue to shape its foreign relations and offers a warning about the potential global consequences. He examines major themes in China’s conception of domestic asian studies the university press of kentucky 9 7 8 0 8 1 3 1 9 2 6 3 5 9 0 0 0 0 and global political order, describes key historical precedents, and outlines the remarkable continuity of China’s Sinocentric stance. Expertly synthesizing historical, philosophical, religious, and cultural analysis into a cohesive study of the Chinese worldview, Ford offers revealing insights into modern China. The Mind of Empire tracks China’s astonishing development within the framework of a national ideology that is intrinsically linked to the distant past. Ford’s perspective is both pertinent and prescient at a time when China is expanding into new areas of power, both economically and militarily. As China’s power and influence continue to grow, its reliance on ancient philosophies and political systems will shape its approach to foreign policy in idiosyncratic and, perhaps, highly problematic ways. Christopher A. Ford, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, a former United States Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, has published widely in the fields of international law and security studies, nuclear nonproliferation, comparative law, and intelligence law and policy. asia in the new millennium Series Editor: Shiping Hua continued on back flap continued from front flap Cover photo: Courtesy istockphoto.com. Jacket design: Erin Bradley Dangar / www.dangardesign.com The Mind of Empire Asia in the New Millennium Series Editor: Shiping Hua, University of Louisville This series aims to publish creative works on Asia with new materials and/or with new interpretations. We welcome manuscripts that look at the challenges and opportunities of Asia in the millennium from the perspective of politics, economics, and cultural-historical traditions. Projects that study the impact of Asian developments on the world are also welcome. Priority will be given to those manuscripts that examine the history and prospect of the democratization process of Asia. Also of our interest are those theoretically, empirically, and policy oriented works that can be used as teaching materials at undergraduate and graduate levels. Innovative manuscript proposals at any stage are welcome. Advisory Board William Callahan, University of...