The Threat of China
With the end of the Cold War emerged two superpowers: The United States and the Soviet Union. The international system then was considered bipolar, a system where power is distributed in which two states have the majority of military, economic, and cultural influence both internationally and regionally. In this case, spheres of influence developed, meaning Western and democratic states fell under the influence of U.S. while most communist states were under the influence of the Soviet Union. Today, the international system is no longer bipolar, since only one superpower can exist, and indisputably that nation is the United States. However China is encroaching on this title with their rapid growth educationally, economically, and militaristically.
In the race to be the best, China is clearly outperforming the United States. China has strong economic fundamentals¬ such as “a high savings rate, huge labor pool, and powerful work ethic” (Rachman, Gideon. "Think Again: American Decline). Their economy has grown an astonishing 9-10% over the past thirty years; almost double of what it used to be decades ago. China is also the “world’s greatest manufacturer and its greatest market” (Rachman). The continuing growth of China's economy is a source of concern for not only the U.S. but surrounding nations as well. One could argue that the U.S. need not worry about China’s growth because of the spread of globalization and that western ideologies would influence China to turn to democracy. Yet China has still managed to “incorporate censorship and one party rule with continuing economic success” (Rachman) and remains a communist country. Hypothetically, even if China does resort to a democratic state, this does not gua...
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...e will dissipate. With each new day, China continues to invent new technologies and expand their global markets. China is only getting stronger, and if the United States wants to remain a contender is this race to be the best, we must stay alert and continue to not only keep up, but outperform the Chinese.
Works Cited
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"Pentagon Warns China's Military Is Growing Rapidly | Fox News." Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos. Associated Press, 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. .
...ities as a responsible state holder. One of the consequences of the international community questioning China’s military capabilities is that the international community could potentially induce an unproductive arms race with China. If China is to participate in the race, China will have a weakened competitive position in the races of economic and intellectual strength. Secondly, China will lose the ability to use its army as a form of soft power therefore making it harder to believe that China can be a responsible state holder since it will seem like propaganda. In terms of China, the world is in a very exciting position with the promotion of the China’s model an alternative governing system is being offered. However, we need to remain vigilant and aware for just as quickly as China rose, it has the potential to fall as well if it doesn’t play it’s cards right.
According to Frederick Douglass, having freedom meant having control over one’s life without being dominated and controlled by others.
During a time of unimaginable change and unknown future about slavery, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick was introduce to those who felt lost and unrepresented in the public discourse of slavery and their prospect as an American. This text was not simply a calling for freedom, but also as a response to those who did not believe or argued that a well-spoken man could never have been a slave, and those who thought he should share part of his story. The main significance of this narrative is to fight for the rights and freedoms of African Americans. While Douglass was using his words and writing skills, he advocated for equal rights, opportunities and the idea of American identity
China must feel secure in its new place as a global power before any true shift may occur. This can only happen if several conditions exist. First, Beijing must no longer feel threats of containment from its neighbors and the United States. Second, China must become content with its military power and begin to see preserving a status quo in military strength as desirable. Third, the outstanding territorial disputes must be resolved. Finally, the security of each Asian nation must become so intertwined that bilateralism becomes ineffective in dealing with rising issues. Until all these conditions exist, China will not truly embrace economic and security multilateralism, and the result will continue to be the incohesive, hypocritical foreign policy that China practices today.
Freedom is the American ideal. In Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he questions the morality and righteousness of slavery. Douglass, a former slave, is convinced that slavery is immoral and unjust. However, the world that surrounds Douglass disagrees vehemently. In an effort to instigate change and improve the lives of millions, Douglass interrogates the moral conscience of his readers, primarily consisting of Protestant, white, undecided Northerners, by forcing them to question freedom and if slavery fits with the vision of the Founding Fathers. Douglass claims and forces the reader to understand that slavery restricts the principles of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right
Humans take freedom for granted until we encounter events that restrain our freedom. This is when we understand the importance of freedom and how little we value it. This section of the ongoing research paper will discuss the path Frederick Douglass took in attaining freedom and his involvement in the movement to abolish slavery in the United States.
Ming, Xia. “China threat or a peaceful rise of China”, The New York Times, March, 2006.Web.
In conclusion while it is clear that both the USA and the USSR were super-powers during the 45 year Cold War I believe that it can be argued that the USA was the pre-eminent super-power. This is primarily because they were able to outspend the USSR so effectively at crucial points such as during the USSR invasion of Afghanistan and during the later “Star Wars” period. The amount that President Reagan proposed to spend on this nuclear defence system just could not be matched by the USSR. In more recent times China is considered a possibility for reaching super-power status. While economically this may be the case as far as the influence of their culture and way of life goes it would appear that China has still not quite made super-power status.
Freedom, is a universal privilege, a privelege that the modern day American takes for granted. When looking at freedom through the eyes of others it can be seen through many perspectives. During the mid to late 1800’s the blacks making up a large portion of the population felt as if their freedom was non-existent. Freedom for one is not necessarily freedom for all. To introduce this unjust behavior with which blacks are mistreated and set apart from the rest of the nation it is stated from Frederick Douglas’s speech that, “The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me” (Douglas 1). This passage summarizes how the life of a negro is dangerous and unhealthy as slavery has taken a toll on them compared
China is the most populous state in the world, with over 1.3 trillion inhabitants (Central Intelligence Agency 2010). Because of its large population base, China also has the largest military and a booming economy that is third only America and Japan in terms of GDP; however, economic trends show that Japan’s economy is stagnating, while the American Chinese economies continue to spike upward (Google, Inc. 2010). Despite its growing economy and large military force, China lags behind America in technology and naval power. Chinese Admiral Wu Shengli said, “The Navy will move faster in researching and building new-generation weapons to boost the ability to fight in regional sea wars under the circumstance of information technology” (Xuequan 2009). This quote shows that China wants to remain a regional sea power, and not develop a blue-water navy that can compete with the American navy. Furthermore, a Popular Mechanics article showed the world that China was stealing American military “leap ahead” technology, or technology that is decades ahead of Chinese technology (Cooper 2009).
The rise in China from a poor, stagnant country to a major economic power within a time span of twenty-eight years is often described by analysts as one of the greatest success stories in these present times. With China receiving an increase in the amount of trade business from many countries around the world, they may soon be a major competitor to surpass the U.S. China became the second largest economy, last year, overtaking Japan which had held that position since 1968 (Gallup). China could become the world’s largest economy in decades.
Wei-Wei Zhang. (2004). The Implications of the Rise of China. Foresight, Vol. 6 Iss: 4, P. 223 – 226.
In United States the economy has changed over the years the government wants their people to be more competitive and more marketable compared to other country such china. Many people have come to the conclusion that China may be a threat in the near future because of their growing economy and increasing influence in the world.
Yuan, Jing- Dong, “Sino-US Military Relations Since Tiananmen: Restoration, Progress, and Pitfalls”, Spring 2003, http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/articles/03spring/yuan.pdf
China is one of the main viable candidates as this century’s new world power. Today, it maintains a strong economic stance within the international market, and is expanding at a rapid pace. The United States cannot maintain its position as hegemon for the rest of humanity; just as how ...