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Quotes
Add a Quote"So don't believe that the Chinese are strategic masterminds and the United States are bumbling. We have managed to bumble our way through a rather advanced position despite the challenges from the Kaiser’s Germany, from the Soviet Union and from Nazi Germany and I think what you will find is that the United States - North America, even - are creating an extraordinary model in this new world. We are becoming the first universal nation, a country that draws people from all parts of the world - people of all colors, creeds and religions and finds a way to harness their talent and build a kind of universal dream. It happens over here and it draws together people from all over the world." Farred Zakaria (Pg. 54-55)
"The West's problems are far more serious than you have just heard from Fareed. And one of the biggest problems is that kind of complacency. As we speak, the Eurozone is falling apart, an experiment with a single currency is disintegrating mainly because of the insolvency of the cradle of democracy, Greece." - Niall Ferguson (Pg. 56).
"Canada is perceived very, very positively in China, because being an open-minded culture, being also a rich country in resources, naturally complements the economic needs of China, so that certainly is a positive side" David Li (Pg. 73)
"So down the road China may provide an alternative model of social management in which, relatively speaking, more weight is put on social well-being, social stability, rather than individual liberty, whereas in the United States we have the opposite system. So the relative advantage of the U.S. system is to be extremely innovative. Meanwhile, don't forget, a large number of people who may be left behind" David Li (Pg. 72).
"China will be preoccupied with enormous problems domestically, and preoccupied with its immediate environment, during the 21st century" - Henry Kissinger (Pg. 17)
Summary
Add a SummaryThe Munk Debates are a biannual series of debates on major policy issues held in Toronto, Canada (Wikipedia). In June 2011, the debate featured Henry Kissinger and Fareed Zakaria debating against Niall Ferguson and David Li. A lively debate captured in this brief book which can be read in a few hours. It contains insightful arguments from the American, Chinese, Canadian, European and global perspective. The following quotes summarize the debate well:
"So don't believe that the Chinese are strategic masterminds and the United States are bumbling. We have managed to bumble our way through a rather advanced position despite the challenges from the Kaiser’s Germany, from the Soviet Union and from Nazi Germany and I think what you will find is that the United States - North America, even - are creating an extraordinary model in this new world. We are becoming the first universal nation, a country that draws people from all parts of the world - people of all colors, creeds and religions and finds a way to harness their talent and build a kind of universal dream. It happens over here and it draws together people from all over the world." Farred Zakaria (Pg. 54-55)
"Canada is perceived very, very positively in China, because being an open-minded culture, being also a rich country in resources, naturally complements the economic needs of China, so that certainly is a positive side" David Li (Pg. 73)

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Transcription of the Munk debate done in 2011 on the future of China's place in the 21st century. A very short book that includes two short interviews. Interesting for a quick read. Worth it if you are interested.
The Munk Debates are a biannual series of debates on major policy issues held in Toronto, Canada (Wikipedia). In June 2011, the debate featured Henry Kissinger and Fareed Zakaria debating against Niall Ferguson and David Li. A lively debate captured in this brief book which can be read in a few hours. It contains insightful arguments from the American, Chinese, Canadian, European and global perspective. The following quotes summarize the debate well: "So don't believe that the Chinese are strategic masterminds and the United States are bumbling. We have managed to bumble our way through a rather advanced position despite the challenges from the Kaiser’s Germany, from the Soviet Union and from Nazi Germany and I think what you will find is that the United States - North America, even - are creating an extraordinary model in this new world. We are becoming the first universal nation, a country that draws people from all parts of the world - people of all colors, creeds and religions and finds a way to harness their talent and build a kind of universal dream. It happens over here and it draws together people from all over the world." Fareed Zakaria (Pg. 54-55) "Canada is perceived very, very positively in China, because being an open-minded culture, being also a rich country in resources, naturally complements the economic needs of China, so that certainly is a positive side" David Li (Pg. 73)