The United States’ stance on China remains a matter of significant debate, with critics Arguing that China is a problematic power. These critiques often exaggerate China’s global ambitions, military might, and influence on American society, framing it as an all-purpose adversary capable of unjustifying actions. The book “The Rivalry: How Great Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weaken Democracy” by Van Jackson and Michael Brenes offers fresh analysis. The authors, representing progressive strategies in U.S. foreign policy, question outdated narratives. They argue that counteracting China’s influence on U.S. security through the lens of the Cold War is crucial. They critique the sanitized view that raising the flag against a rival can foster democracy and drive major achievements. In this analysis, much of the book delves into the hidden costs of Great Power rivalry, pointing out that such rivalries not only cause economic problems but also deepen internal ills and human rights abuses globally. The authors emphasize that China’s role as a potential adversary is much more complex and real than widely perceived, with serious domestic and international costs. They also criticize U.S. fiscal and industrial policies, particularly their focus on military spending, which some see as “national security Keynesianism,” but as less effective mechanisms for economic growth and social equity. China’s ability to thwart a China-centric aggression is uncertain, and its 2023 U.S. Department of Defense assessment of expanding its nuclear capabilities is seen as a moderate worry. While the book advocates for peaceful competition with China, it also stresses the need for constructive approaches in the U.S.-China relationship. The Prepartment in Washington places significant emphasis on China’s geopolitical role, demanding that it maintain dependence on the global economy, which the authors argue is a far more effective check on its aggression than a nuclear strike. U.S._vs China cooperation on global issues is hopeful, as is efforts to rebuild democracy and secure peace, which might prevent the escalating conflict in China’s hands. In conclusion, the book warns that the world is watching, and the reality is that human rights, security, and democracy are inextricably linked.
