Understanding China: Center Stage of the Fourth Power

An analysis of Chinese economic and political behaviors from a cultural perspective. Discusses the importance of understanding how the Chinese do business among themselves and with others.

Using empirical research data and his first-hand experiences, the author argues that (1) the Fourth Economic Power is truly emerging with mainland China being the center stage, and the Chinese Diaspora being the key players; (2) understanding guanxi (connections), among other things, represents the key to understanding doing business in China; (3) China is not yet ready for democracy; benevolent authoritarianism will most likely define China's political life; (4) China's corruption problem-either of a structural nature or a moral nature-is solvable; (5) education holds China's future; and (6) Chinese family can be the most sustainable resource of the Fourth Power.

Yanan Ju lived in China for 40 years and is currently Professor in the Communication Department at Central Connecticut State University. He has authored many books, including Organizational Teamwork in High-Speed Management (with Donald P. Cushman) and The Great Wall in Ruins: Communication and Cultural Change in China (with Godwin C. Chu), both published by SUNY Press.