For the past 50 years, America has been the unparalleled strongest nation on Earth. But the past decade has seen the rise of China into true superpower status and is now beginning to rival the US. Their economy has grown exponentially and they dictate the terms of foreign policy in Eastern Asia. So how will the world politics transform due to emergence of China?
Some experts believe that this begins the transition of world power from the West to the East with not only China but also India growing in power. This would cause a clash of ideals and rules for the world between growing China and declining America. Others however feel that because the US has the rest of the Western World to back it up the Western order that we use today would be very hard. The durable Western Order that we entertain today was created post World War II and has lasted relatively safely and durably. China could also join the system and thrive in its flexibility but if it doesn't America and the Western Order can still stay on as a powerful force in modern society.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union matched the US militarily but China today can match them militarily and economically. This economic ability has gained them influence not only in countries in their region but also in the Africa, the Middle East, and even Latin America. This could mark a transition in world power, power transitions can become volatile as the declining nation may go to extreme lengths to keep their position, thus putting the entire world in danger. However there have been peaceful transitions as well, for example, Great Britain to America Post World War II.
With China rising, America can either step up and live with China in peaceful harmony, allow China into the current Western system, or decline into secondary power status with Chinese ideals taking full effect in world politics. All we can do is wait and see.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/asia/2008-01-01/rise-china-and-future-west
Some experts believe that this begins the transition of world power from the West to the East with not only China but also India growing in power. This would cause a clash of ideals and rules for the world between growing China and declining America. Others however feel that because the US has the rest of the Western World to back it up the Western order that we use today would be very hard. The durable Western Order that we entertain today was created post World War II and has lasted relatively safely and durably. China could also join the system and thrive in its flexibility but if it doesn't America and the Western Order can still stay on as a powerful force in modern society.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union matched the US militarily but China today can match them militarily and economically. This economic ability has gained them influence not only in countries in their region but also in the Africa, the Middle East, and even Latin America. This could mark a transition in world power, power transitions can become volatile as the declining nation may go to extreme lengths to keep their position, thus putting the entire world in danger. However there have been peaceful transitions as well, for example, Great Britain to America Post World War II.
With China rising, America can either step up and live with China in peaceful harmony, allow China into the current Western system, or decline into secondary power status with Chinese ideals taking full effect in world politics. All we can do is wait and see.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/asia/2008-01-01/rise-china-and-future-west
Great Post!! I though about you saying that China can match the US militarily and came up with that :
ReplyDeleteIn terms of weapons, China cannot match the US. According to armscontrol.org, the US has 4800 nuclear warheads compared to a mere 250 warheads in China. In terms of men though, China would have more, but in terms of weapons the US is still way ahead of China.
I've always fond the idea of a war between China and the US to be interesting and terrifying. However, consitering how intertwined our economies are, I doubt that such a war could be fought using traditional means. The way I see such a conflict occurring is through a sort of modern cold war, with a heavy emphasis on cyber attacks. Every day there are thousands of attacks on US government agencies, some of which are likely the Chinese government evaluating our defenses. Similarly, the new remake of the film Red Dawn features a North Korean takeover of America. However, when the film was initially created, it was the Chinese who invaded. Some people say that the Chinese government pressured the creators to change the antagonist in the movie. However, others also say that it was their decision made of their own free will in order for the film to appeal to the Chinese market.
DeleteChina's growth is a very large opportunity as well as threat to the United States. Our relations are marked by uncertainty and mistrust. However we as countries are tied together very tightly economically, and have a strong interdependence on one another. China and the united States are each other's second largest trading partners, and china's economy fluctuates with the dollar. Because of this interdependence I believe that no matter what or who has power, the United States and China will remain civil.
ReplyDeleteA fair summary of the China from the advent of the Cold war to it's end. However I feel as though some aspects of American and Chinese competition are unstated here. Mainly how dependent the United States is from Chinese products, and how much debt we give to China. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/ss/How-Much-US-Debt-Does-China-Own.htm
ReplyDeleteThere is also the issue about tech companies being under attack by Chinese hackers, even though a fair proportion of those caught hackers are also from other adamant countries. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/05/15/university-of-pennsylvania-penn-china-cyber-attack/27373601/
It does beg the question will it be possible for the United States and China to peacefully settle their grievances. I of course can't say anything for sure, as I haven't studied political science outside of small peaks of curiosity. I certainly do hope that more people consider the possible clashes that the US might have with China.