US–China Rivalry in the twenty-first century: Déjà vu and Cold War II (original) (raw)

Engagement to Rivalry: American Relations With China Since the End of the Cold War

Journal of Social and Political Sciences, 2019

American relations with China is one of the most important bilateral relations in the world today. It will continue to do so in the foreseeable future, which will, ultimately, affect the peace and prosperity of the globe. Rising China, with its authoritarian ambition to become the main global player, is considered a fundamental challenge to liberal world order and American leadership in the twenty-first century. This paper, using qualitative analysis, firstly explores the change of global balance of power and its developments after the end of the Cold War. Secondly, it investigates American foreign policy towards China and its implications for Chinese foreign policymaking. At the same time, it covers the economic development of both countries as well as their different approach towards global issues. Lastly, current trends of world economic-political systems, the emergence of liberal and authoritarian blocks which are representing two global superpowers, and its significance to future international relations, stability, and opulence of the world are scrutinized.

On the Path to Conflict? Scrutinizing U.S.-China Rivalry

Journal of Peace and War Studies, 2020

Since the 2008–2009 financial crisis, the international community has witnessed an escalation of the U.S.-China rivalry. Moreover, the present-day COVID-19 pandemic, which began in China in late 2019, seems to have transformed the two great powers’ strategic and economic rivalry into an ideological one. Such intensification of the U.S.-China rivalry is likely to bear largely on the world community, as did the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Reflecting on these circumstances for our 2020 issue, seven strategic thinkers scrutinize various dimensions of the U.S.-China rivalry and share their insights. Min Ye closely examines central discourses regarding the U.S.-China rivalry in the academic and policy communities, such as the Thucydides Trap, clash of civilizations, and divided peace. Based on her critical assessment of such preexisting approaches, she provides an alternative lens on the roles domestic and international agencies have played in reducing tensions between the two superpowers. While presenting the detailed empirical evidence of the increasing China-Russia military cooperation, Lyle Goldstein and Vitaly Kozyrev offer a number of practical policy recommendations for U.S. national security to deter the strengthening of China-Russia military ties and maintain a certain level of cooperation with the two nations on such global issues as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. Krista Wiegand and Hayoun Ryou-Ellison analyze U.S. and Chinese strategies concerning the South China Sea through an international law framework, illuminating that both powers have often utilized their own legal interpretations to support their claims on the area, as opposed to simply resorting to military force. By exploring policy positions of Israel, one of America’s closest allies, vis-à-vis the U.S. and China, Zhiqun Zhu reveals a common dilemma that many world nations have faced—i.e. they want to work with both great powers for their security and economic interests, rather than choosing either the U.S. or China, but the rising U.S.-China rivalry tends to force the latter option. Dawn Murphy thoroughly traces the evolution of U.S.-China economic competition during the Trump administration, implying that it might be difficult for the current trend to get reversed considering the transition of economic rivalry to strategic and ideological realms after the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of these scholarly articles, four Norwich University students—John Hickey, Shayla Moya, Kathryn Preul, and Faith Privett—explain America’s foreign policy blunders in Afghanistan utilizing the Just War theory. They also suggest political, economic, and military approaches that could bring stability in conflict-stricken Eastern Ukraine.

The Evolving Geopolitical Struggle: The U.S.-China Rivalry and Its Global Implications

Demokritos Scientific Journal, 2024

This article offers a comprehensive look at the key issues driving the U.S.-China rivalry, including military tensions, economic competition, and the role of multilateral institutions like BRICS in reshaping the global order. China's rise as a dominant global power is not just a challenge to the U.S. but a fundamental shift in the structure of international relations that will have far-reaching consequences in the decades to come.

Geopolitical Tug-of-War: The U.S.-China Rivalry for Dominance in Asia"

Geopolitics, 2024

The U.S.-China rivalry has emerged as a defining geopolitical issue in the 21st century, profoundly influencing the dynamics of Asia and the broader global order. This paper examines the historical context, economic competition, military strategic posturing, and technological advancements that characterize this rivalry. It explores key scenarios for the future-ranging from continued rivalry and potential cooperation to the risk of conflict-while emphasizing the critical role of diplomacy and multilateralism in maintaining stability. The analysis highlights the implications of the U.S.-China struggle for influence, considering how it shapes regional alliances, impacts international governance, and affects global peace and security. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of this power struggle and its significance for the future of international relations.

From Cooperation to Competition: The Evolution of the US-China Relations since the Cold War

Asian Journal of International Peace and Security (AJIPS), 2023

This study examines the intricate dynamics between the United States and China in the post-Cold War era, focusing on their evolving relationship under the aegis of various American and Chinese presidencies. The paper pursues two primary objectives; to discern the factors driving the transition from cooperation to competition in the bilateral relationship, and; to scrutinize how these shifts manifested under successive administrations in both countries. Employing a Realist approach anchored in balance of power theory, the study uses content analysis to critically assess a diverse array of primary and secondary sources, including but not limited to, policy documents, speeches, and scholarly papers. The analysis spans multiple domains-economic, technological, geopolitical, and human rights-offering a granular look at the policies and strategies each administration employed to manage this complex relationship. By incorporating the Chinese perspective, the paper enriches the dialogue surrounding the US-China relations, providing a more balanced and nuanced understanding. The study culminates in a comprehensive appraisal of the current state of relations, along with insights and recommendations for future policy and scholarly exploration. This research serves as a significant contribution to existing literature, shedding new light on the complexities and unexplored avenues in one of the most critical bilateral relationships shaping the modern international order.

The Inevitability Of US-China Confrontation For Regional And Global Dominance

The relations between the United States and China in the 21st century is a hot topic for analysis and debate among international relations scholars, policymakers, and political commentators. Political scientist, Dale Copeland argues that issues surrounding the US-China relations are an intense topic of debate because the world has entered into a highly dangerous system of superpower competition – a situation in which the two great powers stand firmly in the same area (1). That is to say, two lions reign on the same mountain. That is why in recent years, there has been a plethora of opinion and research articles focusing on different aspects of the Sino-American relations.

China vs US: Making of the Second Cold War?

Modern Diplomacy, 2023

Full-text: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/04/23/china-vs-us-making-of-the-second-cold-war/ https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/04/23/china-vs-us-making-of-the-second-cold-war/ Similar to the Cold War years, the strategy’s essence is to economically, politically, and militarily besiege opponents. So is the American policy of containing China working? Honestly, it’s not easy, because the current balance of power is not only based on the two superpowers. The US is more powerful than any other state in the world, but it cannot manage the world order single-handedly. China is also strong and getting stronger day by day, but it is unable to establish a new global order. The old world order faded and the new could not be established. The current global distribution of power cannot be described as unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar, for the world is literally changing, the distribution of power is like a nebula, a cloud of gas and dust. We can say that the Cold War, which was delighted to end in 1991, is actually a great loss for the American leadership, and now a new but more difficult cold war begins. Sedat Laçiner, "China vs US: Making of the Second Cold War?", Modern Diplomacy, 23 April 2023. https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/04/23/china-vs-us-making-of-the-second-cold-war/

Rise of China: Growing Strategic Competition Between the Us and China

Margalla Papers

The emergence of China as a great power is indubitably one of the greatest perplexities in the international arena since the cold war era. Similarly, it poses challenges to the strategic position of the US. The economic and technological height of China has now become a big question mark for the US hegemony. The US has adopted some essential policies and actions like the B3W initiative and Strategic Competition Act of 2021, which label China a strategic competitor in multiple areas, including economics, technology, and military security. Such actions and policies by the US generate growing strategic competition between Beijing and Washington. However, the Chinese political elite has reservations that the US wants to curb the expansion of Chinese influence. This paper, therefore, analyses how strategic competition between China and the US increases with the rise of China, particularly after China’s BRI, and how China poses a challenge or an opportunity for the US. This paper employs ...

"The Brewing Storm: U.S.-China Rivalry and the Risk of Confrontation"

U.S.-China Relations, 2024

The intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, marked by competition across economic, military, and ideological spheres, is increasingly shaping global geopolitics. This paper explores the evolving dynamics between the two powers, identifying key areas of contention, including trade wars, technological rivalries, military posturing, and ideological differences. It delves into potential flashpoints for confrontation, such as Taiwan and the South China Sea, while analyzing the broader implications of these tensions on regional stability, global economic consequences, and humanitarian risks. Through a comprehensive examination of U.S.-China relations, the paper calls for strategic management, balanced engagement, and innovative policymaking to address these challenges and avoid a direct confrontation. The importance of diplomacy, multilateral frameworks, and economic cooperation is emphasized as critical tools for preventing escalation and fostering global stability.

Sino-US Competition and Challenges for Global Political Order

As the world would call it, China is the 2nd superpower in the world and this fact is making headlines. With this shift of power, China is being seen as reshaping the world order. While China negated this fact in the beginning, four years later China presented itself as establishing ‗new power relations.' What are the ground realties? How does China want the world to see itself? How the United is States challenging an emerging China and where are we heading towards is the emphasis of this paper. The first part, China makes headlines, provides a brief insight into how China is making inroads as a major actor, pushing itself towards a reformist agenda while making sure that its self-interest is not damaged. Mearsheimer's theory of neo-realism is studied in this regard. In the second part of the part, the strategic relationship of South Asian states, post 9/11 has been studied with respect to the theory of balance of power, with United States and India vs Pakistan and China Strategic Quadrangle. It is concluded that in comparison to United States and India, Pakistan and China's strategic partnership presents itself as a hallmark of ‗Grand Security Strategy.' In the third part of the paper, with reference to the strategy of Bandwagoning and Balancing, scholarly discussion by Robert Ross, David Shambaugh and David Kang is detailed. The authors discuss the insecurities of Southeast Asian states and the balance they are trying to maintain between United States and China. They argue that ‗balance of influence' is being maintained, evading the concept of balance of power. Fourthly, the paper debates the world of economic interdependence and states (US and China) which will dominate the 21st century. It relates this factor with specific reference to the European states, since their economies have majorly been at stake. The paper is limited to studying Sino-U.S. Competitions and Changes for the Global Political Order in the region of South Asia and European States. Conclusively, placing China into an international order does not come by choice, instead it is a necessity. Henceforth, U.S. needs to ensure that China is not seen as a disruptive but a positive force with which international affairs have to be restructured and balanced.