Once you get to the Enlightenment, the way that powers get to be hyperpowers isn't just by conquest. It's through commerce and innovation. Societies like the Dutch Republic and the United States used tolerance to become a magnet for enterprising immigrants.

Parenting cannot just be one size fits all.

To be honest, I know that a lot of Asian parents are secretly shocked and horrified by many aspects of Western parenting.

Some parents let their kids sleep at other people's houses, where they drink alcohol, watch TV for hours and God knows what else. But if you say you have to get all A's and practice the violin for two hours, then they consider that abusive. That upsets me.

The Chinese model calls for giving your kids very little choice - and I've come to see that you can go too far with that. On the other hand, I also believe that Western parents sometimes give their young kids too much choice.

I do play tennis, but I don't really like competition. I'm supposed to be so intense, but I hate competition.

Both of my girls have very high self-esteem because they were both able to master certain things; I should think that's good for their confidence.