Reading 1.2: The Hundred-Year Marathon (Michael Pillsbury)

If Francois Jullien offers an academic view of Eastern thought, Michael Pilllsbury presents a highly practical take on the rise of China from the perspective of a practitioner. While Jullien seemed to support a view that Eastern thought eschews strategic planning (in favor of continually transforming the shi in the environment), Pillsbury offers a more realist view of Chinese intentions. An excellent text on statecraft and history, the author contends that China, far from a paper tiger or an engorged panda, holds covertly to a plan to realize the glory of Ancient China through a 100-year campaign (1949–2049). While this sounds a bit like something out of The Manchurian Candidate, Pillsbury’s exceptional knowledge and experience regarding Sino-US relations (he alludes to years of overt and covert direct involvement with China) lend credibility to his arguments. His 67 pages of endnotes don’t hurt either. Many of his ideas are in sync with Jullien though some seem to counter the idea of the Eastern thinker who seeks to simply transform the strengths inherent in his environment rather that execute a prescriptive long-term plan. Either way, the lessons of statecraft, strategy and diplomacy are well worth your 30 pages a day.