On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Lessons for the U.S. in 'China’s quest to engineer the future'
Oct 1, 2025
Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover History Lab and author of "Breakneck," dives into the contrasts between engineering-focused China and the attorney-driven U.S. He discusses how China's swift infrastructure growth, such as high-speed rail, outpaces U.S. projects. The talk reveals insights on the historical roots of China's engineering culture, the impacts of mega-projects, and how both nations can learn from each other. Wang emphasizes the need for a balance between engineering efficiency and legal protections, suggesting a blend of both approaches for better societal outcomes.
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Cape Wind: Litigation Stalls Offshore Wind
- The Cape Wind offshore project took 17 years and $100 million of private money before being abandoned amid 25+ lawsuits.
- The cancelled project left billions in promised investment unrealized and zero turbines built.
Build Versus Litigate: National Strengths
- China can build massive projects quickly while the U.S. gets entangled in litigation and delays.
- This contrast reveals differing national capacities: an engineering state versus a lawyerly one.
Cycling Through Guizhou's Mega Infrastructure
- Dan Wang cycled five days through Guizhou and saw extraordinary bridges, airports, and high-speed rail in a poor province.
- He contrasted that infrastructure with lacking U.S. regional investments to show China's physical reach.
