A new book looks behind Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign • Hacker News Board

Re: A new book looks behind Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign

#51

Post by dustintrex » Mon, Sep 13, 2021, 5:13 AM UTC

est wrote: post #32

yuy910616 wrote: post #2

It sounds like an incredible book. I will certainly check it out. It fits well with my experience of China well - a place where Guanxi (關係）trumps all else. People fear it, hate it, but also aspire it. It's also interesting that how unlikely this book is. I've been in the West for more than 20 years, but I don't plan on speaking ill of China at all. Kudos to the author. Another book that I really enjoy that seem to be…

There's nothing special about Guanxi, it literally means "networking" of well-connected people. Unless I am missing something?

Since China is a low-trust society, networking is far more important than in high-trust societies like most of the West (or Japan, for that matter).

This is not unique to China, of course, but it does mean business, politics and even seemingly mundane things like healthcare and schools operate quite differently to what you might expect.

Re: A new book looks behind Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign

#52

Post by yuy910616 » Mon, Sep 13, 2021, 5:31 AM UTC

dustintrex wrote: post #51

est wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's nothing special about Guanxi, it literally means "networking" of well-connected people. Unless I am missing something?

Since China is a low-trust society, networking is far more important than in high-trust societies like most of the West (or Japan, for that matter). This is not unique to China, of course, but it does mean business, politics and even seemingly mundane things like healthcare and schools operate quite differently to what you might expect.

Yep, this is exactly it. It's not that networking is unique, is that such connection is often used to replace things like law, justice, or a simple queue.

In my own experience, where I went to kindergarten was an outcome of who my grandma knew. Similarly, when I was sick and needed to see a doctor, I had to know someone who knew someone...

Yes - it's similar in the west. But to say they're the same would be like saying 100M dash and marathon is the same sport.

Re: A new book looks behind Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign

#53

Post by yuy910616 » Mon, Sep 13, 2021, 5:32 AM UTC

driveyouhome wrote: post #40

yuy910616 wrote: post #2

It sounds like an incredible book. I will certainly check it out. It fits well with my experience of China well - a place where Guanxi (關係）trumps all else. People fear it, hate it, but also aspire it. It's also interesting that how unlikely this book is. I've been in the West for more than 20 years, but I don't plan on speaking ill of China at all. Kudos to the author. Another book that I really enjoy that seem to be…

Confessions of an Economic Hitman was an eye opener for me. I was recommended this by my Econ professor and it left a lasting impression on me

Funny - I read it for a history class. The book Banana was also quite interesting.

Re: A new book looks behind Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign

#54

Post by est » Tue, Sep 14, 2021, 3:17 AM UTC

dustintrex wrote: post #51

est wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's nothing special about Guanxi, it literally means "networking" of well-connected people. Unless I am missing something?

Since China is a low-trust society, networking is far more important than in high-trust societies like most of the West (or Japan, for that matter). This is not unique to China, of course, but it does mean business, politics and even seemingly mundane things like healthcare and schools operate quite differently to what you might expect.

> like healthcare and schools operate quite differently

I'd argue the reason you don't see much Guanxi in the America is because the best healthcare or school are already run by the private sector.