The Engineering State vs. Lawyerly Society: China's Breakneck Progress

China and the US stand at the forefront of a systemic rivalry that defies traditional cold war framings. Dan Wang's book reframes this dynamic, identifying China as an "engineering state" and the US as a "lawyerly society". China's rapid urbanization and infrastructure growth have lifted millions out of poverty. However, China's progress comes at a human cost, lacking the legal and societal checks seen in the US. Wang, who experienced life in both China and the West, brings a nuanced perspective to his analysis, highlighting both countries' shared sense of exceptionalism and entrepreneurial spirit. China's extensive construction projects under Deng…