070707 Zhao Riseofchindia
The Rise of Chindia and Its Impact on World System
By Zhao Gancheng1
International system is maintained with its balanced structure, which is based on power. The post cold war period has witnessed a unique power equation with the
United States on the absolute top, leading to a new equilibrium, which is debated heatedly for its rational. By common sense, equilibrium is built upon the balance of power between dominant powers or blocs, as what it was during the cold war. But the absolute power of the United States in the international system seems to have created an unseen equilibrium, which may be able to maintain the stability of the system on the one hand, and which dose not allow any other potential powers to challenge the US dominance on the other. This is what the US global strategy is supposed to be about. Given this context, the rise of both China and India might present something unacceptable to the US dominance if the United States could not perceive it properly. Let’s look into this issue by developing the debate of the US dominated equilibrium.
I
First of all, systemic equilibrium enjoys moral superiority. Despite the fact that all nation-states in the international system try to maximize their interests, that could lead to conflicts, few theories would see conflicts as good things. Systemic equilibrium is supposed to reduce the possibility of conflicts among nations, and therefore, the debate is not on whether equilibrium should be sustained, but what kind of equilibrium? Different nations give different opinions due to their respective positions and interests, evidently seen during the cold war. For instance, the bipolar system was able to maintain basic stability of the international system, thus reflecting a general equilibrium, but Jawaharlal Nehru, the founding father of modern India, would not appreciate such equilibrium at all to such an extent that he and other leaders of the developing countries who had no interest in joining either bloc had to
By Zhao Gancheng1
International system is maintained with its balanced structure, which is based on power. The post cold war period has witnessed a unique power equation with the
United States on the absolute top, leading to a new equilibrium, which is debated heatedly for its rational. By common sense, equilibrium is built upon the balance of power between dominant powers or blocs, as what it was during the cold war. But the absolute power of the United States in the international system seems to have created an unseen equilibrium, which may be able to maintain the stability of the system on the one hand, and which dose not allow any other potential powers to challenge the US dominance on the other. This is what the US global strategy is supposed to be about. Given this context, the rise of both China and India might present something unacceptable to the US dominance if the United States could not perceive it properly. Let’s look into this issue by developing the debate of the US dominated equilibrium.
I
First of all, systemic equilibrium enjoys moral superiority. Despite the fact that all nation-states in the international system try to maximize their interests, that could lead to conflicts, few theories would see conflicts as good things. Systemic equilibrium is supposed to reduce the possibility of conflicts among nations, and therefore, the debate is not on whether equilibrium should be sustained, but what kind of equilibrium? Different nations give different opinions due to their respective positions and interests, evidently seen during the cold war. For instance, the bipolar system was able to maintain basic stability of the international system, thus reflecting a general equilibrium, but Jawaharlal Nehru, the founding father of modern India, would not appreciate such equilibrium at all to such an extent that he and other leaders of the developing countries who had no interest in joining either bloc had to