There is so much to think about in this exceptional speech. We are living through another period of great change creating pressures that many believe will lead to another global war. Russia and China are trying to manage this transition with as little violence as possible. For all our sakes, I hope they succeed. We in the West, embedded in our foolish sense of “exceptionalism” and power projection via militarism, have a lot to learn. Unfortunately it will probably take a serious crisis to launch the needed introspection and to create the conditions for the learning process to begin.
I really like your historical example of “Europe’s medieval Jesuit missionaries’” logic. Sometimes recovering ideas could help us navigate the present. Thank you.
Excellent speech Arnaud. Your point about being ideologically blinded is so crucial - it is indeed a dogma and perhaps stems from decades of propaganda in Western Europe. We need to be more humble and curious and way less rigid in our thinking. And your work is certainly helping reaching all kinds of folks. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Arnaud for sharing this. Were there questions or discussion after the talk? If so, what topics came up, and how would you describe the overall mood in the room?
There were questions and people were very open to the arguments but this was an audience of people interested in China-Europe links so it's to be expected.
An interesting point of view as always. However I don't think it's a wining strategy. Europe should double down on US ties. Even if all you said is true (the jesuit comparison was spot on), we must not forget that China is our greatest ally's main opponent. In long term Europe will ultimately be under US influence,so why take the risk?
Germany is no ally to the US, it's an occupied vassal without sovereignty or dignity. Hence it's rapid decline. China is nobody's opponent, unless you want to colonize it again.
There is so much to think about in this exceptional speech. We are living through another period of great change creating pressures that many believe will lead to another global war. Russia and China are trying to manage this transition with as little violence as possible. For all our sakes, I hope they succeed. We in the West, embedded in our foolish sense of “exceptionalism” and power projection via militarism, have a lot to learn. Unfortunately it will probably take a serious crisis to launch the needed introspection and to create the conditions for the learning process to begin.
What are stated is more or less common sense ...
But will the audiences accept, absorb and act accordingly despite their many years of prejudices??
Nonetheless, thank you for sharing the thoughtful analysis.
Agreed. But Common Sense is rapidly disappearing in Europe, if it ever existed there to begin with.
I really like your historical example of “Europe’s medieval Jesuit missionaries’” logic. Sometimes recovering ideas could help us navigate the present. Thank you.
Thank you!
In this case, it goes both ways! Thank you too!
Excellent speech Arnaud. Your point about being ideologically blinded is so crucial - it is indeed a dogma and perhaps stems from decades of propaganda in Western Europe. We need to be more humble and curious and way less rigid in our thinking. And your work is certainly helping reaching all kinds of folks. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Stephen !
Thanks Arnaud for sharing this. Were there questions or discussion after the talk? If so, what topics came up, and how would you describe the overall mood in the room?
There were questions and people were very open to the arguments but this was an audience of people interested in China-Europe links so it's to be expected.
An interesting point of view as always. However I don't think it's a wining strategy. Europe should double down on US ties. Even if all you said is true (the jesuit comparison was spot on), we must not forget that China is our greatest ally's main opponent. In long term Europe will ultimately be under US influence,so why take the risk?
Germany is no ally to the US, it's an occupied vassal without sovereignty or dignity. Hence it's rapid decline. China is nobody's opponent, unless you want to colonize it again.
"The US doesn't have allies, only interests."
US has never been a true ally, only a partner in crime.