A New Stage of Civilization: Striving for the Great Harmony

by Shixiong Cao

Overview

For centuries, human “civilisation” has struggled with hatred, conflict, and war since the first people tried to privately own property and protect their resources. The social and economic pressures that “civilisation” has created have placed increasing strain on the institution of private ownership, which is showing signs that it must be replaced by something more modern. To explore the next development stage for society, we must consider how the old paradigms have begun to show their limitations, and what may replace them.

Cao interprets the culture, politics, economics, and the environmental problems that society faces from the perspective of a scholar, exploring potential solutions to the current global political dilemmas and providing intellectual support for a smooth transition of society to the next stage of civilisation. This stage draws on the great harmony proposed by Confucius, by taking steps to eliminate warfare and other forms of conflict and striving to achieve a more harmonious coexistence for everyone. Cao proposes a new perspective for global governance and encourage readers to work to improve the evolution of civilisation.

 A New Stage of Civilization: Striving for the Great Harmony will appeal to researchers in a range of fields, including economics, culture, history, politics and sustainability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781837082599
Publisher:	Emerald Publishing Limited
Publication date:	09/01/2025
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.98(d)

About the Author

Shixiong Cao is a Professor at the School of Economics, Minzu University of China. His research has focused on Institutional Economics, Ecological Restoration, Ecological Economics, Development Economics, and Environmental Policy, and he has published more than 140 papers (include 113 English and 30 Chinese papers) in journals. He won eight Science and Technology awards from the Chinese government and the government’s Science and Practice in Ecology & Society Award in 2014. 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Lessons Learned from the Cold War
Chapter 2. The Significance of Cultural Diversity
Chapter 3. The Harm of Centralized Systems for Education
Chapter 4. The Origin and Future of a State
Chapter 5. The Paradox of Government
Chapter 6. Economic Development and Social Equity
Chapter 7. China's Rise
Chapter 8. The Theory of New Social Groups
Chapter 9. The Path for Institutional Innovation
Chapter 10. The Relationships Between Humans and Nature
Chapter 11. Evolution of the Population System
Chapter 12. A Vision for Future Society