Introduction
Since the end of the Second World War, the United States has been considered as the world’s superpower nation. The economy of the United States even during the Cold War was enormous while the technological advancement and military power more sophisticated than even that of the Soviet Union. The United States also ushered many multinational global institutions a clear indicator of its role as the world’s most dominant player not only in economics but also in politics.
A new change of guard that will change the world is being experienced at its infancy stages. A historic change is now being evidenced as the Western countries are being overhauled economically by the developing countries.1
The rise in the economic might for the developing world has significantly resulted in a global misbalance of economic power. Until recently, there has been enough evidence of the economic realignment of the world dominant player. This has seen China in the roadmap of the world’s promising superpower due to its stellar economic performance. This paper seeks to explain why China despite being on its course to the top of the world still struggles with racial prejudice.
Hans Chinese
China was once a large land that was filled with multiple races, but now it is viewed as a homogenous state. Overwhelmingly, China has one race; about 91 percent of the populace is Hans Chinese. However, the Chinese constitution defines the state as unitary, rather than a multi-ethnic country. Other races form 9 percent of the total population. A visit to various cities in China will reveal striking differences of the inhabitants, though they collectively define themselves as Hans Chinese. People who live in Beijing have the same height as Caucasians; those in Guangzhou are a little bit shorter. Modern China represents multiple races. Due to civilization, most races in China have been absorbed or assimilated due to intermarriages.
Racism in China
Therefore, Hans Chinese represent an association of many races, it is a multi-cultural entity rather than a single culture. Chinese view racism as an influence of Western culture. All races all over the world are subject to prejudice, race influenced thoughts and racial practices to counter other races.
Each race is distinct but may also share some characteristics with other races. Just like there is cultural diversity, racism is also diverse. In the modern world, white racism is viewed to have had a more profound or imminent impact. The race has always been linked as being cruel. The adverse effect has been evident by the effects of colonialism. This is a lighter tone is not to imply that races do not prejudice others.
Conclusion
Racism and other racial discourse in China leave one amazed as to why there are such instances. The answer to this question is perfectly linked to the view of the family as the central domain, something that has been idolized in the Chinese tradition for over a long period. Just like other Confucian states, China is viewed as a societal institution; this brings in the concept of Communism. The most considered contentious area of debate is Chinese politics.
Most economists argue that for China to have a full impact in the world it must disown Communism and fully embrace Capitalism. However, the most interesting thing is that the highest transforming economy on the planet is being presided by the Communism system of governance, and this is an intriguing paradox.
Bibliography
Jacques, Martin. When China Rules the World. London: Penguin Books, 2012.
Footnotes
- Martin Jacques. When China Rules the World. (London: Penguin Books, 2012), 233-271.