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Realism Theory Focused Chinese – United States Foreign Policy

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Realism Theory focused Chinese – United States Foreign Policy

There is no disputing that the United States (US) has been known around the world as the superior, single most dominating state for decades (Drew & Snow, 2006). There should be no surprise we are now seeing the rest of the world questioning how to deal with taming the American power (Walt, 2005). China along with other nations are facing this daunting question of how to balance the power, even the playing field by striving to become a great power (Forsyth, 2008). This essay will address the realism theory focusing on the three of the instruments of power (IOP) as it applies to the Chinese foreign policy towards the US.
To begin with, this essay will touch on Chinas fluctuating military stance. China continues to display the traditional realist view of balancing power plus states gain their power through war and military intimidation (Forsyth, 2010). Chinas strategic culture and historical record shows they are willing to use force to maintain security and power against the US. They are positioning their assets and “threatening potential US conflict over Taiwan” (Gompert & Phillip, 2011, 42). They’ve increased their military budget, showed capabilities by shooting down a satellite, and “acquired military capabilities-including anti-ship cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and electronic countermeasure technologies—that could hinder US forces if they tried to operate in China’s neighborhood” (Walt, 2005). In conclusion, this on again, off again military stance is showing that China is fearful of its ultimate security.
Second, I will address economics and international trade agreement that China has with the US. China has proven it is an economic force to be reckoned with, second only to the US. China welcomes continued trade agreements with the US, who is one of their largest trading partners aiding in converting this agricultural state into one of the world’s most vigorous, industrial markets (Gompert & Phillip, 2011). As China continues to strive for more power we may see that they will exercise their right as one of the great powers to make or change the rules of the game. In conclusion, China’s impressive economic growth has made it a possible competitor to the US.
Third, I will touch on the effects of information technology in regards to the Chinese-American policy. No one will dispute that information is the ultimate power; it allows one to move/react quickly and freely throughout the world instantaneously, driven by our technological advances (Friedman & Kaplan, 2002). There has been “secrecy about Chinese military and civilian cyberspace programs making it hard to render a clear judgment,” of the true weight of their intelligence “policy on the employment of offensive cyber operations for intelligence collection and cyber-attacks” (Gompert & Phillip, 2011, 51). They’ve admitted they would prefer soft kills to “temporarily or permanently deny use of space assets by means such as jamming, blinding, or cyber-attack over hard kills” regarding attacking US capabilities (Ibid, 59). However, China did pass an “antihacking law in February 2009 that criminalizes previous legal activities, including creation and dissemination of malicious software,” and they have acted on this with “high-profile arrest/convictions (Ibid, 65) . Finally, China has shown a diverse stance on their information policies that shows they are willing to cross the fence for the sack of future security.
In conclusion, this essay analyzed the realism IR theory on the Chinese foreign policy towards the US. It’s vital to realize each theory offers its own perception of a state’s reactions to IR challenges but when combined they play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses (Diprizio, 2008). One must apply and understand the art of all IOP: democratic, informational, military, and economy in order to be strategically successful (Yarger, 2010)“We need to be clear-eyed about the strengths and shortcomings of international institutions that were developed to deal with the challenges” we must encourage “the collective action that can serve common interests” to meet the needs of mankind and protect the environment through promoting global interests regardless of the state (Obama, 2010, 3).
Bibliography
DiPrizio, Robert C. ― Constructivism. Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Lecture Video. Maxwell AFB, AL: ACSC, 2008.
Drew, Dennis M., Donald M. Snow. ―Making Twenty-first Century Strategy: An Introduction to Modern National Security Processes and Problems. Maxwell AFB, AL.: Air University Press, January 2006.
Friedman, Thomas L. and Robert D. Kaplan. ―States of Discord. Foreign Policy, 129, March-April 2002.
Forsyth, James H. "Realism. Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Lecture Video. Maxwell AFB, AL: ACSC, 2008.
Forsyth, James H. “Realist Thought and National Security Policy.” International Security Studies AY11 Coursebook. Air Command and Staff College (ACSC). Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 2010.
Gompert, David C., and Phillip C. Saunders. The Paradox of Power: Sino-American Strategic Restraint in an Age of Vulnerability. Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press, 2011.
Obama, Barack H. The National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States of America, 2010. Washington, ,D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2010.
Walt, Stephen M. ―Taming American Power. Foreign Affairs 84, no. 5, September-October 2005.
Yarger, Harry R., ― The Strategic Appraisal: The Key to Effective Strategy. In U.S. Army College Guide to National Security Issues, Volume I: Theory of War and Strategy. 4th ed. Edited by J. Boone Bartholomees, Jr. Carlisle Barracks, PA.: US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute July 2010.

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