Why do Western negotiators constantly complain that Chinese negotiators are both very sincere and very deceptive? This paradox is one of aproximately 80 explored in Paradoxical Reasoning. Paradoxical Reasoning answers two major questions that provide the underlying rationale for the book. What is a paradox, and why is paradoxical reasoning critical for understanding culture in a globalizing world? As used in the book, paradox is defined as the simultaneous existence of two or more inconsistent and sometimes contradictory elements. Each paradox is phrased as an arresting but simply-understood question to increase reader involvement, such as "Nationalism and globalization?" and "Nations are becoming more and less powerful simultaneously?