About the Book

China’s history has been shaped through the relationship between China and its surrounding regions, forming a ‘community of common destiny’. During the process of modernization, China experienced repeated setbacks while also taking on the perceived mission of nation-building. Since the reform and opening-up period, China has been incorporated into the capitalist world system and has pursued ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’. However, debates remain over whether China will follow the path of Wang Dao (rule by virtue) or Ba Dao (rule by force) in its engagement with the international community. Against this backdrop, this book analyzes the discourse on China’s traditional order and the nature of Chinese socialism from the perspectives of the world-system and the Tianxia system. It further examines how the Chinese Communist Revolution evolved away from orthodox Marxism into a nationalist liberation movement, as well as the contradictions and limitations involved in that transformation. On this basis, it explores the future trajectory of a ‘Neo-Chinese Empire’, and extends the analysis to the prospects of South Korea–China and North Korea–China relations.

<Table of Contents>

Introduction: Rationale for the Study

Chapter 1. Chinese Civilization and the Socioeconomic View of History

Chapter 2. The World-System and the Nature of Chinese Socialism

Chapter 3. Discourses on the Traditional Order of Imperial China

Chapter 4. The Structural Blueprint of the Neo-Chinese Empire

Chapter 5. The Characteristics and Hierarchical Order of the Tianxia System

Chapter 6. The Tianxia System and the Korean Peninsula: South Korea–China and North Korea–China Relations

Chapter 7. Conclusion