India, July 26 -- Great powers that succumb to historical determinism often stumble.
There is a dangerous temptation in Beijing today: the belief that China's rise is not the product of contingency, effort, and reform, but rather the inevitable unfolding of historical destiny. This shift in mindset-from pragmatic striving to deterministic triumphalism-carries profound risks, both for China itself and for the global economy.
China's extraordinary growth over the past four decades was not preordained. It was the result of deliberate policy experimentation, openness to global trade, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Success was contingent: dependent on reforms like Deng Xiaoping's embrace of markets, the decision to join the WTO, and...