Written by: Calum Binnie
Edited by: Melissa Tan
The geopolitical conflict between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China will define the 21st century. As China’s economy creeps closer to surpassing that of the United States (when corrected for PPP, purchasing power parity, they already have), western legal and political attitudes toward the People’s Republic have soured significantly. It began in the early 2000s with fierce competition over cyberspace and the emerging digital world. Later, as China made sizable technological and industrial progress from American exports (thanks largely to China joining the World Trade Organization in 2001), American foreign policy hawks vocalized the need for a more aggressive trade position toward China. Sure enough, whether or not it was the policy and vision they had in mind, former President Donald J. Trump engaged China in a historic trade war in 2018. Today, as America and China reach new levels of staunch opposition, the threat of actual war has never been greater. If the United States is to ensure its success as a hegemonic nation on the global stage, we must outline our differences from and advantages over the rising eastern giant.
There is a clear distinction between the body-politique of the two nations: law and party. The United States, although clouded in bitter partisanship and congressional gridlock, is defined by its constitution and laws. In China, the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party, is the guiding influence of policy. General Secretary and de facto autocrat Xi Jinping holds absolute power over the world’s largest 2nd economy so as long as he controls his party. Even if President Joe Biden had unanimous support amongst the Democratic party, he would still face equalizing opposition from the GOP. Albeit less efficient and coherent in their message at times, the United States government is still the most deliberative, egalitarian, and best legislating body on Earth. We should not let China, our own citizens, and especially the world forget that.
The superiority of allegiance to the law versus party is evident in the triumph of American industry. Both domestically and internationally, the American economic system is universally preferred for its clear and predictable practices. The American banking community provides a firm backbone to international finance. Silicon Valley, assured by strong patent laws and an encouraging regulatory landscape, defines the curve for digital innovation. The firms whose services represent Earth’s future — Amazon’s infrastructure, Tesla and SpaceX’s transportation , and Google’s AI, to name a few — are American in founding and formation. The freedom and promise of American business are still the world’s best bet.
Industry and economic activity will always indicate the future of power but our political forces are an equally strong indicator of the United States’ promise as a nation of laws. The US Navy patrols and protects international waters, ensuring secure international trade. The United States Congress apportions and legislates aid packages to struggling and emerging economies alike to assist their presence in commercial markets. While there is an imperial history to these practices that must be acknowledged and condemned, it does not mean that our hegemony should be cast out entirely. As President Biden’s platitude-heavy politics suggests, ‘evolution, not revolution’. Although subject to lobbying and corrupt influence, American business and political practice is predictable and steady — exactly what the modern world needs.
In essence, China offers something new. Their exploding population and industrial capacity offer other emerging nations cheaper, faster infrastructure without the nuisance of Western influence (the very thing that has kept many Asian, African, and Latin American economies from growing). They do not hold military bases in virtually every other nation and can cast themselves as business opportunists rather than imperial interlopers. And their history as a socialist and once feudal society gives their challenge to Western capitalism a more understandable perception. In reality, however, they are the world’s newest superpower. As unyielding in patriotism as America but far more homogenous in makeup and culture, their economy’s potential for state achievement is as admirable as it is lethal. China’s mission is defined by its party, changing with leadership and with time. While the law can be fickle at times, its stiff nature creates stability and peace that the world understands. As China begins to use its economic influence to undermine national sovereignty and personal liberty (admittedly, a tactic it has taken from Western playbooks), every nation on Earth will realize how much they took it for granted. Before it's too late, we must agree that China’s allegiance to the power of the state over the liberty of the individual casts them as global freedom’s most clear and present danger.
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