The rise of China as a new power is one of the greatest challenges we face as a nation as we enter the 21st century. Our failure to properly handle the rise of Germany and Japan earlier in the 20th century cost the world and us dearly. We dare not make the same mistake with China. Others are premature optimists who see China as predestined to evolve into a democracy. I reject both views.
Nothing is foreordained in the course of human events.
The only thing we can be sure of is that China is as unpredictable as ever. Indeed, the history of China is a succession of despotic dynasties punctuated by volcanic eruptions and fanatical movements. China has a hybrid economy, one that depends on a measure of free enterprise to sustain shoddy, state-run outfits and crony capitalism. Such a system can maintain its rule with force. But it can no longer draw strength from the messianic fervor of Marx, Lenin and Mao.