Conclusion

Abstract

China’s pursuit of modernity has so far presented important differences in the formulation of the modernization project’s agenda, and in its deployment. This is partly owing to the specific problems and historical conditions it has faced, as well as to the understanding of the central term ‘modernity’. The road to modernity has nevertheless brought about significant, if not revolutionary, social, cultural and economic transformations in China. Twenty years after China has returned from revolution to the quest for modernity, its GDP has quadrupled. People’s living standards have been raised so dramatically in such a short time for such a huge population, that it is really unprecedented in the history of mankind. The cultural discourse for modernity has accompanied, and to a certain extent contributed to this tremendous development.