Andrade’s conclusion on China: It is returning to assertive patterns of its past
A final item from Tonio Andrade’s book: He concludes in "Gunpowder Age" that China is returning to the assertive, even aggressive patterns of its past.
A final item from Tonio Andrade’s book: He concludes in Gunpowder Age that China is returning to the assertive, even aggressive patterns of its past.
In the very long and global view he takes in the book, the last few centuries were an anomaly in Chinese history. China often had led the world in military technology, especially from the 900s to the mid-1400s, but for a variety of reasons, including a long peace, was wrong-footed from about 1700 to 1860 on guns, ships, and fortifications. Andrade sees China now in an era of “a return to a more standard pattern in Chinese history, in which wars were more frequent and military innovation deep and vibrant.”
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
More from Foreign Policy
A New Multilateralism
How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.
America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want
Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.
The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy
Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.
The End of America’s Middle East
The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.