Describe how “Chinese consumer culture has not changed a bit in the past century.”

Describe how “Chinese consumer culture has not changed a bit in the past century.”

Pick at least 3 specific examples from the readings that tell us something about consumer culture and then take a position on this statement (agree, disagree, or both*). Make sure to discuss the entire period in question.

or

2. “Working conditions and opportunities for Chinese laborers remain substantially the same in the early 21st century as they were in the early 20th century. In fact, the lives and opportunities of workers have hardly changed at all over the course of the past century.”

Pick at least 3 specific examples from the readings that tell us something specific about the experiences of laborers and then take a position on this statement (agree, disagree, or both*). Make sure to discuss the entire period in question.

Part 2 (50%): Write on the following question:

“The single most important factor in determining the course of the development of business and the business environment in modern China (since 1900) has been the Chinese government. Government policy and action have been more important than the activities of individual entrepreneurs, the influence of Western business practices, or global economic forces.”

Pick at least 3 entrepreneurs, companies, and/or groups of people to use as examples and take a position on this statement (agree, disagree, or both*). Make sure to discuss the entire period (1900 to the present) in question.

*By “both” I mean that there may be some ways in which you agree with the statement, and other ways in which you disagree with it. That is fine, but make sure to make your position clear.

Directions:

As you write these essays, make sure to follow these directions:

Since you have all of your sources at hand, you should be sure to include direct and specific references to material in the readings that supports your argument and make sure to cite those readings properly, with footnotes and a bibliography.

You should not use any sources for these essays other than materials that have been assigned for this course.

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