The Roots Of Geopolitical Risk: Greater China

The layers of history which led to the current geopolitical hotspots

What you'll learn
the impact of Confucianist thinking on Chinese and Asian culture
how China's Imperial period came to an end, eventually leading to Civil War
the impact of Communist victory on China's 20th century evolution
Hong Kong's long journey from small fishing village to international hub
what led to the end of British rule over Hong Kong
challenges in implementing the "one country, two systems" approach
Taiwan's geographic position and role as host to multiple cultures through the ages
how Taiwan became part of Imperial Japan, up until the end of World War II
the dramatic events of the Chinese civil war and its repercussions for Taiwan
how the Cold War brought Taiwan to the center of geopolitical and ideological competition
where Taiwan's relations stand with China and the broader community of nations
Requirements
None, though an interest in history and diplomacy, and curiosity about the world, helps
The Conflict, Security and Diplomacy series and podcasts on the Living Law® YouTube channel digs deeper into the public international law aspects of relevance
Description
If you are reading this page, you may be curious why there is a new Udemy course focusing on these particular countries. (Or perhaps you landed here by mistake, in which case, please read on nonetheless!). The reason is rather straightforward. Across our planet there are many latent, unresolved, historical conflicts which have become more acute due to recent events. Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in the largest nation on earth by population- China. But just what is China? The answer depends very much upon whom you ask. In this course we examine "Greater China" to look at the main iterations of the Chinese nation: the People's Republic (comprising the overwhelming majority of Chinese people and territory), Hong Kong (a former British colony with the status of a "Special Administrative Region" (SAR) within the PRoC), and Taiwan (aka the Republic of China), the island which became a refuge for Nationalists fleeing the Mainland more than seven decades ago. Each "version" of China bears its own unique characteristics. Living Law®'s approach to analysing the impact of history on today's geopolitical situation is to use the law as a frame of reference. Law reflects culture and culture drives law. Each of the "3 Chinas" investigated here has its own legal system reflecting its political reality. The PRoC reflects the 1-party rule which has been in place on the Mainland since 1949. Hong Kong is already half way through its 50-year transition period from British rule, with its political and legal systems increasingly mirroring that of the PRoC. Taiwan has pursued a democratic form of government following a long period of military rule. What makes the dynamics of "Greater China" relevant for all of us is the potential for conflict between the PRoC and Taiwan and the risk of other nations being pulled into that conflict. First and foremost this means the United States, which for decades had a mutual defence treaty with Taiwan and still has a legal obligation to help Taiwan defend itself. A number of recent events at the time of course creation have made familiarity with the history and political dynamics of this region more important than ever. By taking the course you should be able to make better sense of today's headlines in what many predict is an inevitable showdown between competing visions of China.

Overview

Section 1: The People's Republic of China

Lecture 1 Introduction to China

Lecture 2 The Tang Dynasty

Lecture 3 The Arrival of the Barbarians

Lecture 4 Side note- China in the interwar period

Lecture 5 Civil and Cold Wars

Lecture 6 The People's Republic of China during the Mao Era

Lecture 7 Deng Xiaopeng and China's Economic Reforms

Lecture 8 China Rejoins the World … and Joins the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Lecture 9 A Rising China: Can Economic and Political Liberalization be Divorced?

Section 2: Hong Kong

Lecture 10 Introduction to Hong Kong

Lecture 11 Imperial control over trade

Lecture 12 A Victorian parasol stretches over the region

Lecture 13 20th century upheaval

Lecture 14 Side note: Hong Kong during the Cold War

Lecture 15 Time flies: The run-up to the Handover and the Joint Declaration

Lecture 16 The Basic Law: What does it say?

Lecture 17 Merging two realities: a 50-year integration plan

Lecture 18 The future of "one country, two systems"

Section 3: The Republic of China

Lecture 19 Introduction to Taiwan

Lecture 20 The 1911 Revolution

Lecture 21 Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and the Three Principles of the People

Lecture 22 Crisis period: World and Civil War

Lecture 23 The Cold War Heats Up: A Visit to the Front Lines I

Lecture 24 Side note: Taiwan during the Cold War and US military involvement

Lecture 25 The Cold War Heats Up: A Visit to the Front Lines II

Lecture 26 Detente, De-Escalation, and Cross-Straits Dialogue

Lecture 27 The Future: Conflict, Continued Impasse, or Something Else?

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