Cultural Security and Economic Development in China’s West

Abstract:

Until now, development measures in China mostly do not take cultural identity into consideration. Many cadres even regard ethnic distinction as an obstacle for steady economic and social development. At best, cultural features – mostly the visible and therefore somehow more superficial features – are seen as a basis for the development of local tourism, thus initiating further development of economic activities in related economic sectors, like handicrafts, hotel and transport businesses, among others. Little attention is given to the protection of what may be considered as a “basic commodity” for developing regions marked by cultural diversity. This chapter argues that cultural features are much more than a commodity and are certainly not “obstacles” to be overcome before development can take off. Cultural identity is the basis for any kind of development, and therefore needs protection and support – and security. In order to contextualize the situation in China and assess the state’s efforts for creating social and political stability, this contribution first attempts to develop preliminary definitions of the notions of cultural security and cultural inclusion. I then aim at unfolding different perspectives on cultural security, and how they can be both a precondition and an opportunity for more 250sustainable ways of local economic and social development, offering positive outcomes for social and political stability.