China
I consider it one of the strongest historical provocations of the present day that the most populous country on earth is raising its voice and proclaiming a modernization programme at the very moment when twilight seems to be settling over the spirit of modernity and eulogies about its due end are being prepared in many places. ( )
Oskar Negt
Oskar Negt gives me a lot to think about. In his 1988 published book Modernization under the sign of the dragon he reflects on a trip to China, which took place 1980. China is no longer the most populous country in the world. However, it is preparing to become the most powerful (again).
When I was young, China was seen as the yellow peril. Later, Maoism was in vogue and China became a projection screen for fantasies of liberation. Visiting an exhibition about the Cultural Revolution in China radically freed me from such illusions.
So I was back to square one. I had to admit to myself that I knew almost nothing about China. I have been studying the country more intensively for about two years now and have started to learn the language (Mandarin) and the writing (simplified) as well as the official transcription (Pinyin). I'm finding it difficult and progress is very slow.
Heute, wo der Westen das Bedürfnis verspürt, den Logozentrismus seines griechischen Erbes zu verlassen, und China das Bedürfnis, die Welt anders zu denken, hoffen wir, das es dazu beiträgt, einen wahren Dialog zwischen der radikalen Infragestellung des einen und der genuinen Sicht des anderen zu ermöglichen.
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