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.”
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
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. 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.
