Dr. Maccoby participates in a Weekly Forum on Washington Post.com called "On Leadership". I am compiling all of his responses to the weekly questions here.
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DATE: January 18, 2011 Advice for China's president?Americans now view China as the biggest threat to U.S. economic and military interests. What leadership advice would you give to President Hu for creating a more positive political climate for U.S.-China relations? |
Mutual understanding
Presidents Hu and Obama will be more likely to avoid misunderstandings by recognizing the pressures and limitations each faces and how these are shaped by different traditions and cultural values.
The founding fathers of the United States established a republic to further liberty and justice for all citizens. American history is riddled with debates and conflicts over the meaning of these values. Our democratic processes and Constitutional separation of powers make it difficult to agree on common policies. However, a majority of Americans today do agree on the need to strengthen the economy and, particularly, to create more jobs.
In contrast, throughout its long history Chinese culture has valued harmony and cooperation. When the center has been weak, regions have split off and caused conflict. Now, with sudden prosperity, Chinese leaders fear fragmentation and a demanding peasant population that has been left behind. Chinese leaders believe their continued authority depends on maintaining strong central power and continuing to grow the economy to meet the needs of the peasant population.
Inevitably, the U.S. and China will continue to have differences; but we are closely linked economically, and conflict would be mutually damaging. The better we understand each other, the more likely we will avoid conflict and find opportunities to collaborate, such as developing alternative energy.
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