Xu Zhuoyun on History: The Rise and Fall of Great Powers

The rise and fall of a dynasty comes down to one question: Is the core of public power properly placed?, Xu Zhuoyun

Drawing on his profound knowledge of both East and West, and of past and present, Professor Xu Zhuoyun uses System theory to examine in depth how great powers throughout history have risen and fallen.

The section on Chinese history begins with the Qin and Han empires, outlining how the shifting balance between centralization and decentralization in successive dynasties shaped their survival, and sketching the broad sweep of China's history. The section on world history focuses on the causes behind the Roman Empire's success and collapse, then compares it with modern powers such as the Netherlands and the British Empire. Finally, it reflects on the loss of the Christian spirit in the United States today.