We Should Fear China

We Should Fear China

China’s growing influence in the world should be shocking and frightening for other powers in the world. As time continues, China will eventually become a great power, which will shift the balance of power in the world, creating fear for Americans. Although there are hindrances that can potentially hold back China from becoming a great power, China will overcome these hindrances, which will cause greater conflicts in the world.

John Ikenberry, professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University, takes a liberalist approach, strongly defending interdependence. He strongly believes that as China becomes a great power, America should learn to live in harmony with China (Ikenberry, 2008). However, if America pursues this method, America will be crushed by China. China’s growing population and influence on the global economy gives China the opportunity to not only invade and control small states in Asia, but even beyond Asia.

However, I would take the perspective of Mearsheimer, who claims that America should secure their territory so that it can push away China’s threat when the times comes. First, China’s economy is growing. According to Mearsheimer, if China’s economy continues to grow, then it will not only meet America, but surpass America’s GNP to prove that China has the potential to be more powerful than the US (Mearsheimer, 2001).

China’s probable boom in its economy is what it needs to overcome the hindrances that can keep it back. With a boom in the economy, China will be able to harness that money to clean up the pollution in its main cities, which will create a cleaner atmosphere and cleaner water. Furthermore, China may treat their citizens with respect. As a state increases in wealth, there is less discrimination on the amount of money distributed, which means that the people will be more content with the government. When there are content people, there will be positive attitudes towards the government. Additionally, its population will naturally grow as the economy grows, which will give them the manpower necessary to control other lands. By overcoming these obstacles, America would have to fear China’s rise since they can easily match up to America in force.

As a realist, it is important that a state survive no matter the cost. If China became a world power, it would offset the power balance in the world. As of now, America is by far the strongest state in the world. If China were to enter into that system, then America would lose dominance in the world and only impact its half of the world while China dominates Asia. This is seen as a threat since China is attempting to diminish our influence by becoming a hegemon in the world. Therefore, America should secure its borders since China will eventually have the strength to control America. With its vast technology and nuclear power, America will have to use its advanced technology to contain China and keep their influence situated in Asia.

Hence, China’s growth as a nation should put Americans on a watch for their potential strength growing out of control. As a great power, we should not only secure our borders but also prepare for the moment where we will have to contain China’s influence in its borders.

Work Cited

Ikenberry, G. John (2001). Rise of China and the Future of the West (Vol 8). Retrieved from https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1090311/files#GVPT200-0101%2C0102%2C0103%2C0104%2C0105%2C0106%2C0107%2C0108%2C0109%3A%20International%20Political%20Relations-Fall%202014%20mshirk.

Mearsheimer, John J. (2001) The tragedy of great power politics. Retrieved from https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1090311/files#GVPT200-0101%2C0102%2C0103%2C0104%2C0105%2C0106%2C0107%2C0108%2C0109%3A%20International%20Political%20Relations-Fall%202014%20mshirk.

Military Intervention in Syria

            The United States’ involvement in Syria is a highly debated topic that is dominating the news coverage and attracting attention everyday.  Political experts and average citizens alike have varying stances on our nation’s foreign policy. Some favor military intervention, while others believe military intervention will worsen the situation. Both sides offer valid reasons as to why their belief is the right course of action; however, I believe that military Intervention in Syria is necessary.

            In our discussion this past week, I thought the exercise was very productive. It allowed us to go further into the Syria debate as opposed to just choosing a side. After going through the ideas and the pros and cons of the situation, I stand by my opinion that we should have military support in Syria. I understand that military action is a very big deal, but given the state of the situation it is time for action to be taken. The past actions have been unsuccessful, and it needs to be understood that “hoping that diplomacy might work when it has not for nearly a year—is [not] likely to resolve an increasingly deadly civil war (Hamid 1).” We need to learn from our past and take a new initiative to improve the current state. There are many lives at stake, and it is clear that the Syrian regime will continue its ways of destruction. This is a serious threat, and military action will get help towards resolving these

issues of killing and destruction.  

Military intervention has a negative connotation in my mind, and I don’t think this should be the case. I do believe we need boots on the ground, but not at the same scale as we had in Iraq. In our readings, we learned that both French and Turkish ministers have brought forth the ideas of safe zones, and I am a big proponent of this idea.  These safe zones  “would serve the purpose of protecting civilian populations, ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance and…help establish a beachhead for Syrian rebels from which to more effectively resist the Syrian regime (Hamid 1).” Our military intervention would allow us to create these zones and make a positive influence on this troubled nation.

While I believe military intervention is essential given the current circumstances, many would oppose this belief. Some state that the idea of intervention is unnecessary and counter productive. I agree, “strategic calculations, national interest an geopolitical implications are paramount (Husain 1), but I think the lack of success shows a change should be made. The military approach of setting up safe zones, and combating ISIS in order to protect civilians is not categorized as unnecessary in my opinion. The goal is to stop the destruction of Assad and his regime, and our current methods of foreign policy have been ineffective. As a super power with the ability to help a nation in which “Bashar al Assad’s government [is] attacking civilians with chemical weapons (Solomon 1),” I believe military intervention should be taken. A threat like this should not be taken lightly, and it is in our best interest to intervene.

Works cited:

Economist debate: Syria: Statements

http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/810#pro_statement_anchor

Ty Solomon, “Words of Mass Destruction”

http://www.whiteoliphaunt.com/duckofminerva/2013/10/words-of-mass-destruction-in-

the-syria-debate.html

Mearsheimer vs. Ikenberry: Comparing China's Future

John Mearsheimer’s arguments in his book “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics” and G. John Ikenberry’s article, “The Rise of China and the Future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive?” differ on the ideas of the future between China and the United States. Mearsheimer’s predictions of the future of China and their international relations revolve around conflict of the idea of possible conflict if necessary action is not taken. To Mearsheimer, the United States must choose between staying or leaving East Asia based on how China progresses. Ikenberry believes in different possibilities, mainly one in which China progresses in the Western with an open market alongside the United States. After reading both pieces, I agree with Ikenberry’s arguments much more than Mearsheimer’s.

One factor to compare the two works is the difference between the publication dates. Mearsheimer’s book was published in 2001 while Ikenberry’s article was published in 2008. Seeing that both heavily rely on predictions, it is easy to see why Ikenberry’s work includes more recent facts and a more current take on the issue, whereas some of Mearsheimer’s ideas have already proven to be false. For example, Mearshemier’s ideas are based off the assumption that China’s economy will continue to grow into the 21^st century, whereas Ikenberry’s ideas, made seven years later, show the fact that China’s economy has in fact expanded. Also, along with its economy, China’s military has grown into a legitimate threat to other nations, especially among those in East Asia. Therefore, Ikenberry can use these as facts and can apply them to further his predictions.

Not only does Ikenberry’s article provide more recent information, but it also resonates with my ideas more than Mearsheimer’s. Ikenberry presents a grand strategy for the United States: to make the Western system harder to overturn and easier to join. By doing this, the United States places China not just against the United States, but against the entire Western system that has been established for decades. Mearsheimer focuses more on the effect of the growth of China on East Asia, rather than its effect on the entire global system.

The quote, “The Road to the East runs through the West,” is a key component to Ikenberry’s article and truly represents how the United States must think in their international relations with China. Basically, the quote shows that the rise of the East must rely on the West. Therefore, the East (China) cannot rise without the resources, markets, and organizations set by Western civilization. If the United States continues to strengthen the Western system, then this can be easily attainable. As Ikenberry later points out: if China goes against in the United States in the future, China will win. However, if China goes against the entire Western system, the West will prevail. Overall, the ideal situation is for the United States and China to rise together as great powers. At this point, it is clear the China has a strong enough economy and military to be considered a great power in world politics. However, it is up to the United States to determine how much power it can actually gain and whether or not it will take the throne as the great power of the world.

Ikenberry, G. John. "The Rise of China and the Future of the West." Foreign Affairs. 26 Oct. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. <http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/63042/g-john-ikenberry/the-rise-of-china-and-the-future-of-the-west>.

Mearshemier, John. “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics.” New York: W.W. Norton. (2001). pp. 396-400.

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The Problem of China's Rise

            Though the United States is faced with a multitude of pressures and threats every single day, in my opinion the biggest threat to United States global influence and dominance is the rise of China.  There is no doubt that for the past multiple decades, the United States has been the world’s great power. Three of the most important factors in determining a great power are the economic strength, military prowess and international influence that a state has. Whether it is through its influence in international affairs, the powerful economy or the dominating military presence, the United States has been second to none on the global power scale. However, since its massive economic growth in the last twenty years, China is not far behind the United States in all three of these categories. 

            In terms of the economic strength of both states, it is clear that even though China has not surpassed the US economy, it is extremely close. Since the year 1990, China’s growth in GDP has surpassed 10%, making it the second highest GDP in the world. Furthermore, in world projections, it is estimated that by the year 2030, China and the United States would be exactly even in their GDP levels. That being said, one of the major advantages that the US had over China, the economy, would be taken out of the picture. Without this economic advantage over China, the US would be left as the second most powerful country in the world, weakening its international influence and probably causing some form of lost trade agreements. It’s not only a matter of GDP levels or the economic power of the two nations, but also about the crippling debt that the US owes to China. It is believed that the US owes over 1 trillion dollars in debt to China based on purchasing products and the cheap labor that the Chinese provide. In this sense, if China ever decided to come collect their payments, it would severely cripple the US economy, and would lead to severe animosity between the two countries. China’s rise goes beyond economic power and into international influences, which have been on the rise for China. According to a Forbes article, “as its GDP, China has become more assertive regarding international issues.” With increased economic power, China now has the ability to not only influence international issues, but also be a dominating presence, the way the US has done in the past. If China is able to have significant influence over international issues, then what separates the United States from China? The US has always taken pride in its ability to support international conflicts, and alter circumstances for other nations, but they would lose that power if China keeps developing the way it does.

            If the United States wants to remain the world’s great power, they need to place further focus on countering China’s quick rise. Though it is unclear how the US should try and stop the rapid development of another country, it is without question that something needs to be done. One thing that the US may want to do is work on cutting the incredible amount of debt they have with China. Eradicating some of this massive debt would not only get the US out of China’s pocket, but it would also give them more freedom to develop and improve the economy. Furthermore, the US can show the world that they still are the world leader in international issues. Having strong opinions, and involving themselves in considerable issues, such as ISIS or Syria, would show the world that the US is still the powerful influence that it has always been. Regardless of the policies that the United States decides to take on, it is clear that something has to be done to combat the China issue.

Yew, Lee Kuan. “China's Rise: A Shift in Global Influence.” Forbes. N.p. 12/02/2010