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.
I disagree with Thomas about his view on China and its rising power. His blog seems to be completely opposite to Angad's, which i agreed with. The Mearsheimer point is very aggressive and this does not seem to be the best way to approach to China. China does not seem to be looking to back down to any challenges in power, and this could create a detrimental response to anything China sees as an overstep by the US.
ReplyDeleteThomas makes some very unprecedented points in China's rise of power. He assumes they will focus on environmental cleanup, cleaning up air and water in their country. This is something China was and continues to be reluctant to focus on. Also he assumes that China's rise in power will lead to improving human rights. If he read my blog he would see that this human rights is something China continues to violate to this day, regardless of how large their GDP grows. Thomas also states that the Chinese population will grow along with the economy. I am not sure the point he is making in that statement, but more people vs GDP is a negative thing in a country.
Overall Thomas is misguided by Mearsheimer and his notions of what China is today into thinking that China is so close to being indestructible that the US should act now to prevent the final step. Thomas should look back in history and study what happens to countries that overextend themselves like China is currently doing.
As a realist, I would have to say that my goal for any country is to them survive. When there is a great power that has a potential to overtake me, I would rather build up my borders and defend myself rather than make friends of them all out of fear.
DeleteIt is obvious that China is growing. If we were to make an ally out of them, it would a relationship where America would continuously give in to China out of fear of being run over by them and their power. If we live in such a relationship, eventually, China will become demanding and in the end, we will be taken over.
Hence, I argue that we should, by all means necessary, defend ourselves now from the inevitable. Over time, as leaders change and democratic ideologies continue to spread through the globe, it is very possible that China will clean up their environment and start a road towards human rights. At that time when China is a great power, we need to be ready for the shifts in power.
I agree with Thomas that while China is well on their way to becoming a great power, they still have hinderances preventing them from reaching their ceiling. Thomas highlighted these as pollution and the overall treatment of their citizens. While I agree the distribution of wealth after an economic boom would help, there will also have to be a complete culture change in the nation. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it won't be easy. Additionally, I agree that the US needs to be aware of the external environment and the path of which China is on to becoming a threat to our nation.
ReplyDeleteI also found it shocking that at this rate, China is well on their way to surpassing the United States in terms of GNP, which highlights the potential they have. The fact that they have the potential to surpass our level of power is one that our nation needs to be cautious of as China continues to grow.
Overall, this was a great blog post and made a lot of smart points, but I had one problem with it. Toward the end, Thomas writes that the US is the only dominant power in the world, and that China's rise would upset the world balance of power. Then China would have the ability to control the United States if the US did not control its borders. I do not understand how China developing into a world power would necessarily lead to them taking over and controlling AMerica. Even as a world power, there are no signs of the US controlling other world powers such as Germany or the UK. I think Thomas' view is too cynical on the subject. It is not that China would be able to control the United States, but more that China would be able to steal US influence on the international scale.
ReplyDeleteWhen another power rises, it can be seen as a threat to their national security. Insecurity increases since another power's gain is a loss for you.
DeleteAmerica is a strong power in the world. We have a strong military, a pretty good economy, and a great government. And, we have an influence and reputation that other countries lack. That being said, I did not mean that we are controlling other powers, but rather that our influence is global.
Also, I did not mean that China's rise will lead to them taking over America, but rather that the shifts in power will disrupt the balance that we currently have. At the moment, we have a great influence in the world. But when China enters the picture, our influence will be shortened, which will be seen as a threat.