Consensus or Conflict?

This open access book brings together leading international scholars and policy-makers to explore the challenges and dilemmas of globalization and governance in an era increasingly defined by economic crises, widespread populism, retreating internationalism, and a looming cold war between the United States and China. It provides the diversity of views on those widely concerned topics such as global governance, climate change, global health, migration, S&T revolution, financial market, and sustainable development. 

It is a truly unique book. Never before has such an authoritative group of essayists come together to develop deep new thinking about global governance that is relevant to current shared global challenges. They express deep concerns about the historically unprecedented upheavals in the world. They describe the unparalleled turbulence that mankind is facing in the form of multiple crises, any one of which has the potential to bring civilization to its knees. The most obvious of these is the threat posed by climate change. They spell out why these perils pose a stark choice for the human race. They stress how any path that leads to conflict increases the risk of catastrophe. In this context, the common thread is that a consensus must be reached about the future of our world. They have put forward many ideas and potential new policies, reflecting their vision of what this consensus should be and how it is the only way forward for the human race. 

“Multilateral co-operation is critically important to address the many challenges we face, from tackling the pandemic, dealing with climate change and fostering sustainable development. This collection of essays is a very useful contribution for those seeking to understand our rapidly changing and globally connected economies and societies.” Sir Danny Alexander, Vice President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and former Chief Secretary, H M Treasury

“If anybody is in doubt that we all live in a global, interconnected world then consider the impact of global warming, covid, social media etc. To live in this world, we must embrace free and open dialogue between peoples and nations. This collection explains some Why’s and How’s.  A must read to get a balanced view of the world today.” -Sir Peter Bonfield, CBE, FREng, Chairman, NXP Semiconductors

“If we are tonegotiate the next decade in peace, we cannot just trade with China and compete geo-strategically. We need to understand her far better. This collection of essays from across the political spectrum is a major contribution to that understanding.” Sir Andrew Cahn, former CEO of UK Trade and Investment

“The rise of China is leading to shifts in the global landscape not seen since the Industrial Revolution that started in Europe. Anyone who wants to understand, and thus benefit from these changes, needs to delve deep into China’s millennial long experience of governing a complex state. This exceptional and powerful collection of essays holds the key to that new understanding.” Tim Clissold, author of the global best-seller, ‘Mr China’.

“We wish the book every success and hope very much that it contributes to a more balanced view of China in the world.” -Sir Angus Deaton, winner of the 2015 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics and Anne Case, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs Emeritus at Princeton University

“The world is changing, of that there is no doubt. Within the frighteningly fluid global ecosystem of governance, capital markets and business, the place of a pure, rules based, approach could be seen as out of step with the changes already upon us and those about to descend. China’s place in this emerging new world order is little understood. Any contribution which assists in addressing this misunderstanding is to be welcomed.” Jon Geldart, Director General, Institute of Directors   

“Managing our relationships with an emerging Chinese superpower with very different values, history and political systems to our own, yet huge shared economic interests, is likely to be one of the great challenges for the medium-sized Western democracies, like the UK, over the next three decades. This collection of essays will be an important contribution to that debate”.   Lord Philip Hammond, former British Chancellor of the Exchequer

“The Atlantic community is being driven herd-like towards some simplistic assumptions about China, the apparent threat it poses and the choices we are being asked to make. Such analysis does not get us very far which is why this book is an important antidote and an invaluable guide to a more rational and realistic future – of course we need to mitigate the risk that China poses the west, but we also need to understand where our interests are aligned with Beijing.” Lord Peter Mandelson, Chairman, Global Counsel; former European Trade Commissioner and British First Secretary of State

“This is an original, wide-ranging and stimulating set of essays.  The relationship between China and the west is oneof the most important in contemporary geopolitics, and these authors give us a range of productive and thoughtful ways to address its future.”  Rana Mitter, Professor, History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford and author of Forgotten Ally: China’s World War II, 1937-1945

“The world is not flat … for nations and economies to succeed and stay safe in this increasingly interconnected world, we must be willing to embrace change and be more tolerant of cultures and ideologies which appear different. Global climate change is undoubtedly a crisis which needs all nations to work together if we are to protect the lives and livelihoods of future generations … therefore reaching a global consensus on issues of this magnitude is essential. This book provides a compelling insight into China, the world’s second biggest economy, and the role it is likely to play in the future … as such this is a must-read publication.” Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine and former Chairman of Standard Chartered, Experian and Burberry

“The world, and the west in particular, needs to recognise that we are moving to a different global dynamic, economically, politically and militarily, and that we have to engage with China in a balanced and pragmatic manner leaving ideology at the door. This is essential if we are to work together to deal with the enormous economic, climatic and health challenges the world faces in the short and long term. This book should help build understanding in this essential dialogue.”  Sir Mike Rake, Former President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

“For anyone wanting to understand what role China will play in the emerging world, as Western global domination weakens, this book is essential reading. It provides a soundly based framework for understanding the political, economic and military forces at work in the transition.” John Russell, Chairman, Henderson Far East Income Limited

Dr. Huiyao (Henry) Wang is the Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a think tank ranked among top 100 think tanks in the world. He is also Dean of the Institute of Development Studies of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics of China, Vice Chairman of China Association for International Cooperation and a Director of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. He is currently a steering committee member of Paris Peace Forum and an advisory board member of Duke Kunshan University. He served as an expert for World Bank, IOM and ILO. He pursued his Ph.D. studies at University of Western Ontario and University of Manchester. He was a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and a Visiting Fellow of Brookings Institute. His books in English include: Globalizing China (2012); China Goes Global (2016); the Handbook on China and Globalization (2019); and the Globalization of Chinese Enterprises (2020).

Alistair Michie is the Chair of the International Council of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG). During the last three decades, he has visited and worked in over 28 provinces and regions of China. The focus of his work in China has been on strategic advice that aims to build cross-cultural understanding between the world and China. This has led to a number of advisory roles. His major advisory role is Business and Government Advisor to Hampton Group, which is a global leader in strategic consulting and investment related to China. In 2013, the Chinese government awarded Alistair the ‘Friendship Award’ Medal.