2
1.
Explain what Zewei’s article from the week 4 reading was all about.
The author elaborates about China diversity in culture and history, which places did not allow it
to have equality at the state level. Moreover, Zewei explains how Confucianism integrated with
the international law after the fall of the Celestial Empire and Tribunal way of resolving matters
of the nation. Hence, an analysis to understand more about how China adopted the international
regulation in its system of government is important. The researcher asserts that before the Opium
War, China did not practice national equality. Because of this battle, China is determined to
accept and participate in other citizens. Hence, international norms have become important in
forcing the country to accept Western powers. However, it conflicts with Confucianism adopted
by the government. The author separates what happened in four parts, which carry different but
relevant information about China (Zewei). First, the Confucian Chinese enterprise that formed
the government is the age of the court system and the heavenly empire. They were important to
provide judgment and ruling before they were compromised by the Western power. Secondly, the
conflicts that due to the interaction between the Chinese culture with the current international
regulations that incorporate the treaty regime, relations, and foreign trade. Finally, how did the
collision between Western powers and Chinese traditions help these countries achieve
modernization?
2.
What are the main ideas in Steinberg’s article?
Steinberg’s article provides insight into the NGOs soft powers and the politics that drives
them. Moreover, the author elaborates more on the human right groups, and the role they play in
a certain area such as the Arab-Israel skirmishes. Steinberg explains about the “halo effect”
where people hide in the NGO to advance another bad agenda because they are not accountable.
They criticize democracies while protecting capitalism and imperialism in Western countries.
