TY - JOUR
T1 - From Sweden to Singapore
T2 - The relevance of foreign models for China's rise
AU - Yang, Kai
AU - Ortmann, Stephan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © SOAS University of London 2018.
PY - 2018/12/1
Y1 - 2018/12/1
N2 - China can be described as a learning state which has adapted to changing conditions and frequently turned outward for lessons. In recent years, Sweden and Singapore have drawn particularly strong interest from Chinese academics because the two countries represent two different third ways between Communism and capitalism and have been useful for developing a socialism with Chinese characteristics. Sweden is seen to symbolize the ideals of social equity and harmony while Singapore is seen as a model of authoritarian state-capitalism. China's transformation has resembled the Southeast Asia city state's model more than the Scandinavian social democratic model. Since Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012, interest in Sweden has reached a nadir, while attentiveness to Singapore has peaked. Although Chinese state-capitalism faces many challenges, including rising inequality and persistent corruption, it will be difficult to find an alternative role model that can successfully combine one-party rule with economic modernization.
AB - China can be described as a learning state which has adapted to changing conditions and frequently turned outward for lessons. In recent years, Sweden and Singapore have drawn particularly strong interest from Chinese academics because the two countries represent two different third ways between Communism and capitalism and have been useful for developing a socialism with Chinese characteristics. Sweden is seen to symbolize the ideals of social equity and harmony while Singapore is seen as a model of authoritarian state-capitalism. China's transformation has resembled the Southeast Asia city state's model more than the Scandinavian social democratic model. Since Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012, interest in Sweden has reached a nadir, while attentiveness to Singapore has peaked. Although Chinese state-capitalism faces many challenges, including rising inequality and persistent corruption, it will be difficult to find an alternative role model that can successfully combine one-party rule with economic modernization.
KW - Learning state
KW - Singapore model
KW - Socialism with Chinese characteristics
KW - Swedish model
KW - Third way
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047443993&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0305741018000486
DO - 10.1017/S0305741018000486
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85047443993
SN - 0305-7410
VL - 236
SP - 946
EP - 967
JO - China Quarterly
JF - China Quarterly
ER -