Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of 'The Third Revolution,' dives into the complexities of U.S.-China relations. She discusses China's aggressive global stance, including its rapid economic rise and authoritarian governance under Xi Jinping. The conversation highlights the implications of surveillance and espionage, the militarization of the South China Sea, and the need for a more assertive U.S. policy to safeguard democratic values while managing trade relations with China.
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insights INSIGHT
China's Shift Under Xi Jinping
We wrongly assumed China would become more open and democratic through WTO entry in 2001.
Xi Jinping reversed this trend, centralizing power and closing off China after initial openness.
insights INSIGHT
China’s Three Revolutions
China's three revolutions define its rise: standing up, growing rich, and becoming strong.
Xi Jinping's era marks China's assertive global role and authoritarian recentralization of power.
insights INSIGHT
China’s Illiberal Global Ambitions
China is now an illiberal state seeking leadership in the liberal world order.
It exports its political model emphasizing control and internet sovereignty over democracy.
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In 'The Third Revolution: A Study of Psychiatry and Religion', Karl Stern delves into the relationship between psychiatric practices and religious beliefs. The book reflects Stern's unique perspective as a convert from Judaism to Roman Catholicism and his extensive experience in psychiatric research. It examines how these two fields interact and influence each other, providing insights into the psychological and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
1984
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George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
A trade war with China has dangerous implications for the global economy. What began more than a year ago with President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs has become an unpleasant economic reality for many businesses.
Recently, the U.S. labeled China a “currency manipulator.” But an even larger long-term threat comes from China’s aggressive espionage offensive that is playing out in behind-the-scenes as of the U.S. and China struggle for global dominance.
Our guest is Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow and director of Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Her most recent book, The Third Revolution: Xi Jinpeng and the New Chinese State (Oxford University Press, 2018), explains the background to recent dramatic changes inside China.
She is among a distinguished group of China specialists who once favored engagement with Beijing, but are now calling for the United States to take a more forceful approach as China attempts to undermine democratic values. We discuss the best ways to navigate this relationship.
"Managing this relationship is essential," says Elizabeth. "It cannot allowed to it to spiral down too far."
Richard Davies and Jim Meigs are the host of the terrific podcast “How Do We Fix It?,” on which they talk to the world’s most creative thinkers about, well, how to fix things. Lots of things. Important ones. Highly recommended. You can find “How Do We Fix It” on Apple Podcasts.
In Conversation: An OUP Podcast 
