U.S. Universities Must Invest in China Studies

By Joshua Eisenman. On December 14, Richard Baum, distinguished professor of political science at UCLA, renowned expert on Chinese politics, and adviser to presidents, died in Los Angeles. He was among the foremost in an unparalleled generation of Sinologists that was trained during the Mao Era and went on to inform countless Americans about China and its strategic intentions. Ironically, however, even as his contribution to the study of Chinese politics is eulogized around the world, the emphasis on area studies at the American universities that created Professor Baum and his cohort has withered. Today, many of America's best young Sinologists are forgoing academia and instead choosing more lucrative careers in government or the private sector—working for select audiences on specific topics. During the Mao era, only the most dedicated researcher could decipher the discrepancies and opacities of Chinese politics. There were no Western news bureaus in China at the time and few scholars could gain entry. Years of rigorous language study and long hours in libraries were required to translate and decode official documents and press reports to reveal their true meaning. Read more...