The Thucydides Trap
Richards and Allison give to opposing perspectives on the potential for war between the US and Chinabut which is more useful in understanding the situation today? Richards offers some logical reasoning based on questionable assumptions to argue that conflict is unlikely. Allison, on the other hand, simply looks back at the past 500 years and notes that in the majority of cases the facts show that when two nations like the US and China engage in a power struggle the outcome tends to be war. The main reason Allisons perspective is more useful than Richards perspective is that Allison bases his argument on facts, without making any assumptions or presenting any biases, while Richards uses logic but bases the logic of his reasoning on assumptions whose merit is debatable at best.
Richards says that aristocracies no longer rule nationswhich I do not find convincing. Anyone looking at the US today can see that billionaires are pulling strings behind the scenes. Richards also states that civilians lead nations rather than military strategists. Again, this is not a convincing statement: the EU is led by technocrats and seems to do whatever NATO says to do. Plus, the Pentagon has a lot more sway in US foreign policy than civilian leadersjust look at Americas...
…useful perspective. Of course, even a valid argument can be weak if it is based on premises that are not particularly strong or compellingand that is precisely the case with Richards. Richards argument is not without logic, but the problem is that the premises do not ring true, and anyones unbiased reflection on personal experience should indicate as much. In order to create a strong argument, debaters need to find premises that will resonate with their audience and convince them of the conclusion. By taking the time to build a solid foundation, debaters can ensure that their arguments will stand up to scrutiny and be persuasive; Allison does this, which is…
This is true not only in African countries with "dictatorial or authoritarian regimes but in fact China's […] commonly shared roots with African nations […] has struck a chord even with those democratically elected leaders in Africa," allowing China access to even those countries that might at first glance appear to natural allies to the United States due to their democratic form of government. Thus, Africa's colonial past has simultaneously meant
China Sample The China Fallacy provides an interesting perspective between American perception and that of economic reality. The book illustrates, how in many instances, a disconnect between truth and reality has the potential to create unnecessary conflicts between parties. The China Fallacy is no different in this regard. Within the book, the author Donald Gross illustrates how the notions of security, economic turmoil, and political instability are skewed within the general
China and Globalization THREE RESEARCH QUESTIONS ON FACTORS INFLUENCING CHINA'S RISE TO SUPERPOWER STATUS In evaluating China's prospects for achieving superpower status, especially during this economic crisis, the first research question would take into consideration whether and to what degree the United States is in decline as a superpower, and if it is, then whether China is simply going to achieve superpower status by default. This is what happened to the British
China Under Communism, Confucian values, considered vestiges of the old feudal system, were supposed to have been completely swept away. Judging from what you have read from the readings, do you believe Confucianism completely disappeared after 1949? Confucianism is the philosophical and ethical system of belief based upon the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. The core belief of Confucianism was humanism which is the belief that human beings can change, adapt,
China Largest Country in World China the Largest Country in the World China is the largest country in the world. You are thinking about marketing your product in their country. Your information must be current (NLT2004). You are to conduct a comparative analysis between China and the United States. You are to determine the population of China, the mean gross income, the gross national product (GNP). When you compare the United States with
I do not approve of reading so many books. The method of examination is a method of dealing with the enemy. It is most harmful and should be stopped" (Johnson 1992:552). Mao wanted control of China's destiny -- and he wanted that destiny out of the hands of the religionists, whose doctrine was not formulated by him but by an outside body. Thus, places like Sacred Heart convent in
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