Chapter 5: Spotlight on China – the Olympics and beyond

Aims of the exercise

• To become familiar with internet resources in the areas of political commentary and analysis


• To identify the issues and challenges currently facing the Chinese leadership, especially in the context of the extensive media coverage of the Olympics


• To gain insight into changes taking place in China and their political implications, both within the country and internationally

Getting started
Information about China abounds on the internet, especially in light of the Olympics of August 2008. This exercise focuses on articles about China which have appeared on the website www.opendemocracy.net. On this website you will find articles by academic authorities on the political environment in a vast range of countries. Their underlying theme is progress towards democracy, but they discuss a wide range of related political issues. A quick search on the site under ‘China’ will show a number of articles. In each, there are links to other relevant articles on particular topics, as well as references to books and other articles. The articles are all relatively short and easy to read. This exercise is centred on a few specific articles, but by following the links you will find many other interesting insights from a range of authors.

Tasks
Look at the following articles on the opendemocracy website:

• Wasserstrom, Jeffrey, ‘One, two of many Chinas?’, 19 February 2008.


• Brown, Kerry, ‘Beijing’s political tight-rope walk’, 13 March 2008.


• Brown, Kerry, ‘China changes itself: an Olympics report’, 20 August 2008.


• Brown, Kerry, ‘China’s nervous transition’, 22 September 2008.


• Wasserstrom, Jeffrey, ‘China’s long march to modernisation’, 8 October 200

Now, answer the following questions.

A. Questions

1. Wasserstrom takes issue with those who view China as an all-encompassing state. He refers to this view as ‘totalitarian’, which is often used to describe dictatorships based on ideology. He also criticizes those who view China as dualistic, with extreme contrasts (for example, between rural and urban inhabitants). Describe his perspective on China, and state how his approach would be relevant to international business.


2. What aspects of China were particularly evident in the Olympics? What do they reveal about China’s political system?


3. What challenges are currently facing China? How do the authors of these articles see these challenges as creating strains within the political system?


4. Looking at Brown’s article of 22 September 2008, why is China’s transition described as ‘nervous’?

B. Reflection

1. It was often said during China’s hosting of the Olympics that politics should be kept separate from sport. On the other hand, China’s leaders went to extraordinary lengths to present a favourable picture of a modern country, showcasing the achievements of the regime. Much media publicity in the West, however, focused on the clamping down on dissent and demonstrations. In your view, did the world spotlight on China in the Olympics show the country in a favourable light, in a poor light, or a mixture of the two? Explain your reasons.

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