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I recall reading somewhere that Western culture is fundamentally a proselytizing one and so it is difficult for Westerners to imagine a world in which the preeminent superpower is not forcing others to convert to its worldview. In their words, Chinese culture has, historically, been much less dogmatic and primarily interested in pragmatically advancing their own interests. Up until the past century or so, this has taken the form of some combination of internal strife and turtle-ing against invaders instead of active expansionism. You could say China has no interest in exporting socialism with Chinese characteristics anywhere so long as its absence is not a threat to its internal stability and prosperity, but this is so at odds with the Western mindset they cannot even consider it.
It always struck me as too much of an oversimplification, but I sense some element of truth in the broad strokes. Do you feel there is indeed less interest on the part of China to export its cultural views, its political system, its military bases compared to the US?
I do. I do not care for countries I have not meaningfully immersed myself in (which is to say anywhere outside China and the US, basically). Having been influenced by said "proselytizing cultures", this admission makes me feel wrong and guilty, if you will. I can try to make myself care, but I don't.
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