| ID | 073826 |
| Title Proper | Fostering stability or creating a monster? The rise of China and US policy toward East Asia |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Christensen, Thomas J |
| Publication | 2006. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article explores two starkly contrasting analytic approaches to assessing the performance of U.S. security strategy in East Asia since 1991: a positive-sum approach, emphasizing the danger of security dilemmas and spirals of tension, and a zero-sum approach, emphasizing power competition and the long-term dangers posed by China's rise. In the policy world, the differences between these apparently irreconcilable perspectives are not so clear. Certain policies-for example, maintaining a strong U.S.-Japan alliance-flow from either logic. Moreover, each approach sometimes counsels counterintuitive policy prescriptions that are generally associated with the other. Relatively assertive U.S. security postures apparently have furthered positive-sum regional goals by catalyzing China to adopt reassuring policies toward its neighbors as a hedge against potential U.S. encirclement. From a zero-sum perspective, the United States often competes more effectively for regional influence by cooperating with China than it would by seeking to contain China's economic growth and diplomatic influence. |
| `In' analytical Note | International Security Vol. 31, No. 1; Summer 2006: p81-126 |
| Journal Source | International Security Vol: 31 No 1 |
| Key Words | United States ; China ; East Asia ; Security Strategy ; International Relations |