The unifying and stabilizing force in western culture is the law. Law is the foundation. It provides a stable platform to evolve and change. And it may also be the reason why western civilization is leading the pack.
For China, the unifying and stabilizing force and foundation is Confucian's concept of family. Family is not just the household, whole kingdom is a big family. Family is why China as a culture still maintains its sanity and dignity (although very vulnerable) after all the indignities suffered during last couple of centuries. And closeness and inward looking nature of family may also be the reason why China missed the opportunity for industrialization(outward exploration+open competition) and scientific advancement early in the twentieth century. And Chinese people realized that family may not be a good foundation for China to enter the world market and compete any more. China may need a new foundation to be able to catch up and lead.
The challenge is really in the transformation. While China is searching for new culture launchpad, we cannot throw away the current foundation (family) yet, otherwise the house will crumble down and collapse. We especially need a strong foundation during this time of great change. Chairman Mao tried to rid all the old and rebuild a new one from the ruin, and it led to twenty years of setback and chaos. Deng Xiaping learned the lesson and vouch to maintain Communist ruling as a stable foundation.
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