Abstract:

A main theme throughout this documentary is the quest for common ground between China and the US on human rights. The film features up to date pictures of contemporary China and dialogue from several of the finest China scholars in the world addressing questions such as: 1. How compelling is the argument that the uniqueness of Chinese culture is a convenient excuse for authoritarian leaders to violate the human rights? 2. Is political stability so important to China that it justifies the Chinese regimes violations of universal human rights? 3. Will China's rapid economic growth lead to its government beginning to protect its citizens first generation rights, that is political rights? What has been the impact of economic change on peasant women and men who migrate to the cities? 4. Was the Falun Gong such a severe threat to the Chinese government that the crackdown on and persecution of its practitioners is justified? DVD includes the documentary as well as 64 minutes of additional discussion, and is designed to be used in the classroom as a flexible teaching tool.