China: The Burgeoning Superpower?

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the beliefs that in the post-Cold War era, China has emerged as a serious threat to the United States. While some consider China a threat because of its economic success, there are others who feel that China's cultural mindset might cause problems for societies that it finds inferior to its culture. The paper contends, however, that to view China as a threat simply because its economy is growing or its military strength is increasing reveals nothing but America's deep insecurities. The paper explains that containment may be a safer option than encouragement or an open arms policy, but it will have a negative impact on US-China relations. The paper highlights the importance of avoiding an unwanted war.

From the Paper:

"China has always been a fascinating subject of study for the United States and debates over whether it should be dealt with clenched fists or open arms have now engulfed the political circles in the country. What is the better way of dealing with China that is seen by many as the new strategic threat? Is containment better than engagement? (1) Scholars and politicians alike are wondering about what China's new reality is and where exactly is it headed. David M. Lampton, former president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, expressed his dissatisfaction with different prevailing images of China in the US and said that "it is time to step back and look at where China is today, where it might be going, and what consequences that direction will hold for the rest of the world.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• David Shambaugh, "Containment or Engagement of China? Calculating Beijing's Responses," International Security 21, no. 2 (1996): 180-209;
• David M. Lampton, "China," Foreign Policy 110 (1998): 13.
• R. B. J. Walker, One World, Many Worlds (Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner, 1998), p. 22.
• Quoted in Evelyn Iritani and Marla Dickerson, "People's Republic of Products," Los Angeles Times, October 20, 2002: www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chinaloct20. story.
• Ibid.

More papers on China: The Burgeoning Superpower?:

• Essay # 137788 : "Modern China: The Nanking Massacre"
• Term Paper # 133645 : "China, the Olympics and Global Pressure on the Environment"
• Term Paper # 112804 : "Conquering China: The Manchu's and the Mongols"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: