The Rise of China: Redefining War in the 21st Century
Abstract
War has been defined in traditional terms since the days of Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War. The desired outcome of war is to submit your enemy to conditions he would have otherwise not agreed to through other means. This paper attempts to explore how China may be posturing to receive the spoils of war, and put its "enemies" in a position to accept terms and conditions of a new hegemonic order without firing one shot or threatening traditional war, using the Cold War as context. The perfect storm of economic dependency on China to fund increasing debt in the West combined with China's use of its intellectual and economic leadership to dominate the world's natural resources is only matched by the inability of the West to do the same. While Western leaders are examining the military capability of China and sizing up a potential conflict, China has been pursuing a long-term strategy that doesn t require a formidable military at all. With increased diplomatic influence in resource rich Africa, and the economic dependence of the West, China may well be positioned to win a war while the West sleeps right through it.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA561197
Entities
People
- Dwayne A. Harris
Organizations
- United States Army War College