The Chinese Dream: Ideas of Development in European Comparison

By Rana Mitter

Director of the University China Centre, University of Oxford

Abstract:

The idea of the “Chinese dream” is of particular interest at a time when Europe is seeking to rethink its own model.  Both societies have powerful models of social development, but both are seeking to find ways around social tensions and to rework their ideas for an unpredictable decade to come, in areas including the creation/maintenance of a stable middle class, and the stabilization of social welfare policies.  Using a short historical comparison, and with thoughts on how the European and Chinese experiences may compare with each other in the coming years, these comments will reflect on what goals are achievable and what the two societies may learn from one another.