Some of the research projects and conferences of the Institute will deal directly with abstract questions that arise from the various philosophical schools of Western and Chinese thought. However, the majority of the work of the Institute will involve the examination of concrete problems related to modernization: social inequality, the relationship between individual rights and social cohesion, pressures of globalization, the conflicting demands of technical and liberal education, frustrated expectations of growing public participation in decision-making, tensions between national and local identity, and so on. These and other issues will serve as entry points for an investigation of the premises behind conflicting positions. The aim will not be to arrive at a consensus on which action might then be taken. Rather than seeking convergence around a new singular framework of truth, we are hoping to broaden the dialogue so that genuinely new voices might be heard.
Programs: The programs of the Institute for Postmodern Development of China emphasize applied, innovative thinking from both Western and Chinese traditions that can help resolve contemporary problems. Some of the specific areas on which we plan to focus are:
， Development of creative principles for resolving conflicts traditionally associated with modernization: market freedom and social alienation; economic growth and inequality; personal rights and the common good; and individual mobility and urban congestion.
， Creation of an ecological vision that takes account of the tradeoffs and conflicts between preservation of biodiversity and the development of human potential. The emphasis is on developing new methods of social accounting and planning that provide guidance on how to balance competing values.
， Formation of educational systems that not only teach technical expertise but also encourage integrative capacities across disciplines (the Western liberal arts model) and a commitment to cultivating personal virtue through self-discipline and service to the larger community (the Confucian model).
， Evaluation of the tensions and continuities between science, philosophy, and religion in offering solutions to problems associated with social cohesion and legitimacy. The ways each contributes to centrifugal and centripetal forces in identity, political authority, and global engagement.
Activities: The primary activities of the Institute include the following:
， Holding conferences on topics relevant to the program areas on which we concentrate. Most important is a series of conferences in China and the U.S. on strategies for reform of higher education. A conference on urbanization is planned for Suzhou, China in 2005. Conferences on urban-rural inequality and on financial crises in China are in the initial stages of development.
， Supporting research in program areas. This is limited to small stipends for post-doctoral research by Chinese students in the U.S. for one year or less.
， Providing assistance to visiting scholars from the U.S. who are lecturing or teaching at Chinese universities.
， Publishing books in Chinese and English on topics related to program areas. In the early stages of the program, these will primarily consist of translations of existing books from English into Chinese. Ultimately, our aim is to support the production of new writing projects.
， Producing an interdisciplinary journal in Chinese, aimed at Chinese scholars who have a broad interest in the application of synthetic modes of thought to concrete problems.
， Publishing a bi-monthly newsletter in Chinese. Approximately 15,000 copies of this are currently being distributed in the U.S. and China.
Fostering the creation of independent centers of research and action at various universities in China. Already four centers are planned in Beijing, Suzhou, Wuhan, and Guangzhou.
2004
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