Is China going to dominate the world?
By laurapal
@laurapal (8)
Brazil
June 8, 2010 12:55pm CST
If you are interested in world politics you probably have heard conjectures that China is going to surpass the United States and become the new global superpower. This idea automatically makes us reflect on what it takes to be a global superpower. Is it only hard power as in military strength and economic might? Or is there another requirement for great countries to become globally dominant? I believe there is something that International Analysts very often fail to take into consideration: the fact that in order to be dominant, a country must also "sell" an appealing lifestyle, namely, something that would make people believe that there is a better way of living. In this sense, America was very successful in spreading to the world its "American way of life" as a concept associated with the ideas of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Therefore, it gave this country a perfect excuse for its imperial behaviour, begun at the end of the 19th century.
In short, I argue that cultural dominance is also a requirement for a country to become truly dominant.
Having said that, one would ask in what way China is becoming dominant? It is obviously increasing its hard power, as it shows high rates of economic growth and military spending. However, its cultural influence is still very limited given the difficulty of the language and the negative associations people usually make regarding this country, such as forced labour and the lack of political liberty. There are, then, two, unanswered questions: what is the "Chinese way of life"? Once it is defined, will this country be able to become dominant in terms of culture and strength?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@sweety_81 (2124)
• India
8 Jun 10
In a way, China is already beginning to dominate world politics and more so the world economy. Chinese people consume a lot of things - especially steel, concrete, cars and they also make a lot of world's electronics, electrical gadgets, clothes etc.
Culturally, too, they have a good influence. However, a lot remains to be done.
@kuaixueshiqing (161)
•
8 Sep 10
China is going to dominate the world? Are you kidding? Why don't you say Brazil is going to dominate the world? could you tell me the reason?
A lot of people have the idea like you because they regard the developemen of China as a threaten to their country.But we chinese are just do what we should do,I think the developement of China is good for people around the word,the things China did seems not to destroy the word peace.In addition you worried about the millitary stength.Yes,China is developing it's millitaty, but all of which is just to ensure it's national security,he never start any war against any coutry with some trumped-up reasons.
@Simon1223 (903)
• China
10 Jun 10
I don't think China will dominate the world in the future. Though China has been developing very quickly in the past thirty years, it is still a developing country which faces a lot of domestic problems. If the government could not solve these problems, China will experience some serious crisis in the future. Even if China could solve such problems and becomes a superpower, USA will still be the most powerful country which could prevent China from dominating the world.
@goushijue (32)
• China
15 Jun 10
way of life is in line with economic growth and historical culture, china has a 5000-year splendid history and culture,which harbors great potential to tap, it takes time to mould one way of life appealing to the whole world, let's wait and see.
