2425- Will China & the United States Avoid War?

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The McCuistion Program is an issues-oriented television program that illuminates business, social, economic and public policy concerns and challenges. Each program focuses on a current/ timely topic of importance, in a talk show format with expert guests and develops the various concepts or issues of that particular topic , in objectively, fairly and evenly presented discussion. Viewers are invited to make their opinions known and to actively get involved in making a difference; whether by active participation in civic and charitable activities or letting their city, state and national elected officials know how they (the viewers) feel.

2425- Will China & the United States Avoid War?

Joining host Dennis McCuistion are Cynthia Watson, PhD, Professor of Security at the National War College, Dennis Kratz PhD, Dean: School of Arts and Humanities, University of Texas Dallas and Professor Da Hsuan Feng, Ph.D., Former VP for Research U T Dallas, and chief advisor to the China I Silk Valley Research Institute.

To be sure the concept of war between the world’s two superpowers is difficult to contemplate however there are some who are contemplating just that. The history of China, plus the similarities between the two individuals who lead both countries, should make us vigilant about the future.

There is a sense that the U.S. is trying to contain China and keep them down and the trade war issues and tariffs are a case in point. The end game of humiliation for China is growing as is nationalism.

While China has not yet fought a war there is great frustration. There is a tremendous sense of hubris among the young. All they have lived is through China’s new incredible success, which may lead to citizens believe they have certain entitlements. Young people do not see that the U.S. and China need to work together.

Graham Allison, Jr. a political scientist and professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, author of Destined for War; cites the Thucydides Trap as grounds for war between the U.S and China.

He states, as China challenges America’s predominance, misunderstandings about each other’s actions and intentions could lead them into a deadly trap first identified by the Greek historian Thucydides,” It was the rise of Athens and the fear this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable”. The past 500 years has seen 16 cases in which a rising power threatened to displace a ruling one. Twelve of these ended in war.

Yet this premise is an empty concept. It was not developed by Thucydides as a thesis.

China is an aging country. It may have a strong economy now however there are a lot of problems, economic, geo-political, and environmental and demographics that consumes them presently. It is important to sit together and resolve problems not just think war.

With all that said there are fundamental differences and interests each country has and these are increasingly leading towards conflict.

This episode of McCuistion TV available on the C-Suite Network.