大象传媒

Cultural historian Nandini Das explores the power of empathy to shape our political worlds, in conversation with author and academic researcher Claire Yorke.

On 28th February 1972, the US President Richard Nixon departed from the People's Republic of China aboard Air Force One. Over seven days of banquets, ballets and visits to national monuments leading figures from the USA and China had got to know each other, engaging in talks for the first time in years. By the end of the so called "week that changed the world", the two countries had issued the Joint Communique of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China, also known as the Shanghai Communique.

The communique was highly unconventional; it essentially sees both sides as agreeing to disagree. However, within its text the two sides agreed that both countries, regardless of their social systems, should conduct their relations on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

It was an agreement that had far reaching consequences for world history - one that "built a bridge across 16,000 miles" and healed years of division and hostility.

So how exactly did China and the US break with years of hostility? Nandini's guest, Dr. Claire Yorke (Centre for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark) believes that a key part of the answer is empathy.

She and Nandini discuss the different ways that empathy has moulded our political landscape - drawing from examples past and present - as well as exploring in detail the ways in which President Nixon's trip to China and its aftermath provide a fascinating case study in the power of empathy to catalyse breakthroughs in not just diplomacy - but the often tricky relationship between politicians and the public.