In the early 1970s, Mao’s ‘three worlds theory’ guided China’s strategic alignment with the political struggles of third world nations. As the country’s economy and influence grew, it focused on establishing ‘major power’ relationships with the West. Now, Beijing must reorient itself to the Global South.
I try to make a case that democracy – not our wretched really existing capitalist democracy, but a radical eco-socialist democracy – is still the only hope for people and planet, first I want to interrogate Xi’s claims for his alternative, what he calls “Chinese-style modernization” and “Chinese-style civilization.”