Editor’s note: this article was translated and edited from Chinese language news website Boxun.com, and looks at the so-called “Chinese Dream,” a term that was the topic of hot media debate after Xi Jinping referenced it during China’s leadership transition. This article looks at the key differences between the Chinese Dream and the American Dream, both from a historical and cultural angle, and considers whether the Chinese Dream will grant China true prosperity in the future.

As China is in the midst of mass development and potential prosperity lies on the horizon, it is inevitable that people will begin to speculate as to what the “Chinese Dream” is. Xi Jinping recently mentioned the term during the leadership transition, and pinned it down as the constant and steady economic development of a nation united under one cause. People will of course be very familiar with the “American Dream” and its connotations of freedom and prosperity for all; but how do the two “dreams” really differ?

Individualism vs. collectivism

The American Dream is often seen as the country’s beliefs and ideals that promote the values of democracy, equality, and freedom. The heart of the concept can be understood as equality to all, freedom and justice, and the fact that everybody has the right to pursue happiness and equal opportunities. In everyday life, these concepts are represented in four ways: private property grants you personal freedom; great personal wealth is seen as one of the main signs of success; consumerism is seen as the highest threshold of society; and property rights are thoroughly protected. As it is stated in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Ever since ancient times, Chinese people have been chasing their own dreams, and after the Opium Wars the concept of the Chinese Dream has become much more prevalent in society. Today, the Chinese Dream can be embodied into two main concepts. The first, which refers to the general goal of the state and its people, is achieving China’s return to being a greatly influential nation and major player on the world stage. The second part, which is on a personal and collective level, is the aim to secure everyone with a good education, a stable job, a decent income, and a more encompassing social security system. This all adds up to the concept of ensuring all Chinese people live more affluent, dignified lives, and that all people have an equal chance to do something special with their lives.    

Historical pretexts speak volumes

In 1620, 35 puritans and 67 pilgrims arrived in North America on the Mayflower. After Columbus’s apparent discovery of the “New World,” many explorers started to arrive from Western Europe to settle in North America. At the beginning of the 17th century, British settlers began building colonies on the American mainland. These people who voluntarily left their homeland to live in an unexplored, wild country all had a similar purpose, which was, as referenced in the Declaration of Independence, the dream to “pursue freedom and happiness” in their new homes. It was perhaps at this time that the concept of striving for the American Dream was established.

During the Civil War, these values and the ideals of freedom, democracy, and independence inspired millions of Americans to fight for the abolition of slavery. During the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, America gradually emerged as a power equal to those of the major European countries, and after two world wars, established itself as the world’s superpower. It was then that the concept of the American Dream became a more exerted practice that wasn’t limited to within America’s borders.    　　

China has a long and illustrious history of civilization, and according to some scholars had the world’s largest economy for a time until the end of the 18th century. After suffering a series of atrocities throughout recent history however, the nation hit an all time low; the result of which led to many Chinese people wondering as to what the new “Chinese Dream” should be.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party has supposedly led China to properly “stand up” and give the people the chance to “be their own masters” while having the apparent chance to chase their own personal dreams. Under the so-called “socialism with Chinese characteristics”, China has developed rapidly to become a major world player.

In spite of this however, the development and realization of the Chinese dream faces a lot of difficulties on many levels. With regard to China’s international image, the concept of the “China threat” has become an issue for China to overcome as it tries to present itself as a responsible and respectable country. On a more personal level, China has to overcome the lack of trust that has plagued the country’s society and has to make it possible for individuals to unleash creativity and make new opportunities more attainable – these however, are goals that are very difficult to realize.

Chinese Dream – will collectivism ensure long-term stability?

There’s certainly no denying that the American Dream strikes true when looking at equal opportunities. U.S. President Barack Obama, whose father is of humble Kenyan origins, is perhaps the embodiment of that. As the American Dream is rooted in individualism, it can be classified as more of a belief or a desire; a drive for success. However this has in turn resulted an unequal, class-based society that is contrary to the notions of equality stated in the Declaration of Independence.

Under the leadership of the Chinese government, economic development has been placed at the center, with China’s leaders repeatedly using the moniker of “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” to ensure the apparent equal development and opportunities for all to enjoy. Xi Jinping stated that “the Chinese Dream is the people’s dream,” and that its attainment “relies heavily on the people who must always strive for the prosperity of all.” With that, Xi managed to define the Chinese Dream as one that both applies to the people and the state; however future policies and rule of law are vital to ensuring this realization of the Chinese Dream. Obviously, China has a whole host of problems to overcome which directly contradict this collectivist concept of the “Chinese Dream” such as corruption, consumerism, and the worship of power and money.

The Chinese and American Dreams are both equally defined by the cultural attributes of the two countries. Some feel that as the American Dream is based on individualism and the strive for personal success, it may end up causing further social instability and conflicts of interest in the future. China believes however that with its own dream of uniting the people under one culture of collectivism, the long-term effect will prove more stable and eventually more prosperous.
 

Source: Boxun.com
 

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Keywords: the Chinese dream Chinese people American dream