China: Realism vs. Liberalism

           Both liberal and realist theories agree that China is becoming a competing threat to the United States for overarching power of the world’s institutions. With remarkable economic growth and an increasingly powerful central government, this is something that cannot be ignored.  However, each of these theories approach this situation very differently.  Realists argue that the confrontation between China and the United States is inevitable and that the US should prepare for this foreseen battle for power.  On the other hand, the liberal view is more optimistic, saying that although China may be surpassing the United States in terms of economic and social power, the successful rules and institutions previously put in place by the US will be upheld by China.  The argument at hand is not one regarding China’s growing power, but rather, one that is based around how this power struggle will play out between these established and influential powers.

Theorists of realism believe that due to the overwhelming economic growth of China and the consequential threat this places on the US, these two great powers will likely engage militarily sooner rather than later. According to realist beliefs, all states seek anarchy and are continuously competing with one another for security of power in society.  The main goal of great powers, such as the US and China, through the realism scope of international relations says that states attempt to become hegemon states and prosper at a faster rate than the other contenders.  At this point in China’s economic position, they are attempting to become a “regional hegemon”, much like the United States has been seen as since the creation of the Monroe Doctrine in the late 1800s.  This move towards extreme power by China could be the pivotal point that starts an engagement between the current regional hegemon, the US, and the aspiring regional hegemon, China.

            The liberal view believes that instead of an outward military engagement by China in an attempt to take over the world’s institutions completely, China will instead assimilate into the systems that the United States had previously created.  FDR established much of the world’s international institutions, such as the World Bank and the UN, which intertwine the great power states of the world and provide economic and social security.  These establishments currently provide a multitude of good services for all those involved.  While the liberal may envision China reshaping the system toward a more “Asian centered world”, they will still continue to follow the rules and institutions previously established by the United States.  According to liberalism, war is not expected due to the nuclear revolution and the imminent threat of complete disaster should a war break out between two great powers, like the US and China.  So instead of focusing on war, the US should center their goals on enhancing these institutions and making them more appealing and economically beneficial to China. 

            Although both theories agree upon the rapid growth of China’s economy and their increasing power within the world, there is a disagreement upon the resulting effects this will have upon China, their relationship with the US, and how they will go about changing the structure of the current world institutions.  Depending upon the international relation lens you look through, either realism or liberalism, you will see two distinct possibilities that may occur in the coming years as China continue to grow in terms of economy and social power.