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After the rain, the world looks different: thoughts on Trump’s return

THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL election happens every four years. And this time, the leader changes: A man some consider mad returns to power, the world is becoming turbulent again, and it is unclear how the relationship between East and the West will go.

But we should look at the essence of things. Blood types have not changed, the genes remain the same, and our cultures can provide clues as to what will happen.

ESSENCE OF AMERICAN CULTURE

In the 500 years after the European colonization of North America, the United States established its culture as one of machismo through its history of occupation. It has constructed its image as brave but unruly in the manner of the cowboy.

This may explain why Trump was able to be elected president in American society. “Winner Takes It All” is a key concept in such a culture. The message of Trump’s rhetoric is that they must “Make America Great Again”, and he wants the whole of the northern Americas becoming part of the United States. Other nations must not be allowed to catch up. President Joe Biden felt that “China is the biggest challenge facing the US.”

The message is that the whole world must submit to the United States, and the goal of its government is to “govern” the planet!

If all mankind had such a mentality, built into their genes and culture, we may be able to win for a while (tactically), but how could we maintain such a stance for thousands of years (strategically)?

We can compare the East and the West, so let’s also look at the Chinese culture of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”. Here I will briefly explain it with the help of the “Rites” in the “a state of ceremonies”.

CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE

” Ritual” originated from sacrifice. The ancient Chinese character for “Ritual” is “Rich”.

The oracle bone script for the word “Rich” has two strings of plants on top, representing abundance, and a bean-shaped container below, meaning abundance. It was used to make offerings to the gods and pray for blessings.

Later, Adding “示” to the side of “Rich” makes it “Ritual”.

“Ritual” is more important than sacrifice, and its original meaning is to respect gods and spirits in order to seek blessing.

The Shang Dynasty (whose leaders ruled nearly 4,000 years ago), inherited a primitive society, retained the custom of “leading the people to serve the gods” and respecting gods and witches. People used divination to assist in making decisions on activities and held sacrifices to show their respect for the gods. This was the original gift.

In the Zhou Dynasty, the connotation of etiquette was further developed, gradually expanding from sacrificial rituals to the fields of politics and ethics. The social system of “establishing rituals and music” by Duke Zhou (the fourth son of King Wen of Zhou) regulated people’s behavior and became the foundation of today’s Chinese culture.

The interpretation and application of “ritual” is recorded in “The Analects of Confucius”. Consider these lines.

“If you don’t learn propriety / ritual, you will have no structure “, (16.13)

“…disciplines himself with propriety / ritual”, (6.27)

“Through learning and temperance to virtue” (link here.

Encouraging self-cultivation to achieve “benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and trustworthiness”, he became a “gentleman” and did a good job of “Self-Cultivation, Family Regulation, State Governance, Bringing Peace to All Under Heaven” (The Book of Rites. Great Learning). He advocated “govering the country with rites”, so in the Song Dynasty he was described as “governing the country with half of the Analects“.  

To this day, China is known as a “country of etiquette”, with lofty moral standards, complete etiquette norms, and excellent traditional culture and virtues.

In summary, Chinese culture emphasizes “governing with virtue”, “a man without trust is not worthy of trust”, “harmony is the most precious” (The Analects of Confucius), etc., and the relationship between countries is truly equal and harmonious. Co-existence: Using Chinese and American culture to look forward to the world after the storm, no matter what the present is like, it is not difficult to guess what tomorrow will be like.


Image at the top by fridayeveryday.

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