Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
2-2012
Abstract
This article examines how recent books by academics and public intellectuals reshaping the discourse of the rise of China. While earlier trends argued th China was being socialized into the norms of international society, many text now proclaim that due to its unique civilization, China will follow its own path to modernity. Such books thus look to the past - Chinas imperial history- for clues to not only Chinas future, but also the worlds future. This discourse which could be called " Sino-speak," presents an essentialized Chinese civilizati that is culturally determined to rule Asia, if not the world. The article notes nuanced readings of Chinas historical relations with its East Asian neighbors provide a critical entry into a more sophisticated analysis of popular declaration of "Chinese exceptionalism." But it concludes that this critical analysis is largely overwhelmed by the wave of Sino-speak.
Discipline
Asian Studies | Political Science
Research Areas
Political Science
Areas of Excellence
Digital transformation
Publication
Journal of Asian Studies
Volume
71
Issue
1
First Page
33
Last Page
55
ISSN
0021-9118
Identifier
10.1017/S0021911811002919
Publisher
Duke University Press
Citation
CALLAHAN, William A..(2012). Sino-speak: Chinese exceptionalism and the politics of history. Journal of Asian Studies, 71(1), 33-55.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/4344
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021911811002919