Globalisation and the Search for Identity in Contemporary China

1. Globalisation and the Search for Identity in Contemporary China Prof. Torbjörn LodenUniversity of Stockholm Filmed and Compiled by:Juha Vuori 2002 AsiaNet / Torbjörn Loden

2. Globalisation and the search for identity in contemporary China Globalisation = increasing interconnectedness by means of interaction and exchange A global ecumeny Chinese history is also our history, globalisation is not a one way track Globalisation is discussed in China on at least three areas:

3. Economy • Politics • Culture • Each area has its pros and • cons, promoters and critics • Own view: • The effects of globalisation are not determined beforehand • Globalisation will make China more open

4. Background of the critique of globalisation in China The critique is rooted in an identity crisis with Chinese characteristics The threat of foreign powers gave birth to modern China The first priority of the intelligentia was to save China, but in order to achieve this, traditional Chinese culture had to be given up A thorough reappraisal of Chinese cultural heritage Two gentlemen would save China: mr Science and mr Democracy

5. By abandoning Chinese culture the intelligentia pawed the way for radicalism • The establishment of the PRC meant a return to ”cultural normality”, an ideological orthodoxy • This orthodoxy functions in a similar way as Confucianism • Deng’s reforms opened up space for discussion on Chinese cultural heritage and western influence • A new kind of nationalism emerged after Maoism • This new nationalism draws inspiration from traditional Chinese culture

6. The new cultural nationalism a way to heal the psychological trauma of rejecting Chinese culture New Confucianism changes and reinterprets traditional Confucianism New Confucianism is made compatible with ”everything interesting” The fundamental reason for the attractiveness of new Confucianism for the intelligentia is that: it fills a psychological need to have an indigenous cultural source for identity

7. Conclusions The modern new Confucian way of thinking will gain momentum Our identities are not constructed from a single source like Chinese, Finnish or Swedish culture