In *China Transformed*, Roy Bin Wong offers a bold and intellectually ambitious exploration of China's historical development in comparison to Europe. The book challenges the assumption that Europe provides a universal model of development, instead advocating for a more nuanced understanding that incorporates both European and Sinocentric perspectives. Wong's work highlights themes such as state-making and popular action, providing a sophisticated discussion of imperial and modern China.
Sixiang Wang's "Boundless Winds of Empire" offers a nuanced exploration of early Chosun Korea's diplomatic relationship with Ming China. The book challenges traditional narratives by focusing on the cultural practices and rhetorical strategies employed by Korean elites. Wang masterfully weaves together diverse sources, including poetry and official records, to reveal the agency of Korean actors in shaping Sino-Korean relations. He demonstrates how seemingly routine diplomatic rituals were crucial in constructing and maintaining a complex political order. The book's insightful analysis sheds light on the dynamics of power, identity, and cultural exchange in early modern East Asia.
In 'Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands,' Gavan Daws provides a detailed and engaging history of Hawaii. The book covers the islands' early Polynesian settlement, the impact of European and American contact, the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, and the subsequent annexation by the United States. Daws's work is renowned for its thorough research and insightful analysis, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complex and rich history of Hawaii.
In this crossover episode from the China Talk podcast, Nathan Labenz shares a thought-provoking conversation between Jordan Schneider, Ilari Michaela, and Professor David C. Kang that challenges conventional Western perspectives on East Asian international relations. Professor Kang argues that studying East Asian history on its own terms reveals a remarkably stable geopolitical system spanning nearly a millennium, where China maintained regional dominance without conquest through compatible cultures and mutual understanding. This alternative framework offers valuable insights that question the seemingly inevitable US-China competition narrative dominating AI discourse, suggesting that internal challenges may be more significant than external threats for both China and the United States.
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CHAPTERS:
(00:00) About the Episode
(03:30) Introduction to East Asian Relations
(04:41) Internal vs External Challenges
(07:05) Song Dynasty's Fall
(13:35) Western vs Eastern Frontiers
(19:06) Shared Cultural Understanding (Part 1)
(20:30) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify
(23:45) Shared Cultural Understanding (Part 2)
(25:57) Vietnam-China Relations
(30:08) Korea's Diplomatic Strategy (Part 1)
(32:19) Sponsors: NetSuite
(33:52) Korea's Diplomatic Strategy (Part 2)
(35:17) The Imjin War
(43:36) Thucydides Trap Question
(49:19) Power Transition Theory Debate
(53:49) Expansion and Frontiers
(01:02:00) Modern Implications
(01:06:00) PRC and Imperial Legacy
(01:13:16) Taiwan and Modern Challenges
(01:25:42) US Role in East Asia
(01:29:35) Concluding Thoughts
(01:37:17) Outro