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[TEASER] China Pt. 1: A Socialist Introduction w/ Jason Hickel

Feb 18, 2025
Jason Hickel, a professor at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology and an author on global inequality, dives into the complexities of China's rise. He challenges the Western narrative of China as a military threat while delving into its historical roots in the global imperial order. Hickel discusses the transformative impacts of the Maoist era, including advancements in healthcare and gender equality. He also unpacks China's evolution from isolation to a liberalized economy, shedding light on the underlying dynamics of U.S.-China relations.
29:05

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The fear of China as a military threat is largely unfounded, stemming instead from its pursuit of economic sovereignty challenging Western imperialism.
  • China's socialist policies historically contributed to significant social improvements, such as advancements in public health, education, and gender equality despite facing challenges.

Deep dives

China's Economic Sovereignty

China does not pose a military threat to the United States or Europe, as the fear-mongering from the West is rooted in China's desire for economic sovereignty. The Western powers are concerned that China's rise undermines their imperial arrangements, which rely heavily on capital accumulation. This desire to maintain the status quo leads to aggressive posturing, where the West is willing to flirt with global warfare to preserve its economic dominance. Understanding this framework reveals the deeper intentions behind current U.S. foreign policy regarding China.

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