Feeding a Dragon: Ramifications of Overreacting to China's Relative Rise

Abstract

This study investigates the strategic implications of the complex US-Sino relationship, particularly as America rebalances toward the Asia-Pacific region. The author examines the relationship through multiple prisms of international relations theory. Economic context and interdependence complicates the relationship. Perception of the relationship is critical, as a mismanaged fear of a rising China could limit Americas economic vitality and international influence. A self-induced security dilemma will be disproportionately costly for the United States, as an economically strong China spends comparatively little with asymmetric capabilities. The author compares this scenario with the collapse of the former Soviet Union. The result of this study determines overemphasis on Chinese conventional capabilities will provide the United States detrimental opportunity cost toward aggregate global interests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2012
Accession Number
AD1019406

Entities

People

  • Michael J. Hagan

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Climate Change
  • Globalization
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Investments
  • Military Budgets
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Navy
  • Political Systems
  • Public Policy
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Economics