Evaluations of China in American International Relations Scholarship:Offensive Realism and Power Transition Theory
Author: Hsin-wei Tang
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
Before the 21st century, very few international relations theorists in the United States believed that China would become almost as powerful as the United States. Scholars only started to depict China the most significant rival to the United States when its rise had become undeniable.
On the basis of power politics, offensive realists claim that a powerful China will challenge the United States, so Washington should obstruct China’s growth. However, power transition theorists use the same power politics to argue that a satisfiedemerging power will not challenge the international status quo. Therefore, the United States shouldcooperate with China. These two schools disagree about the nature of the international system, the measurement of national capabilities, and the issue of national intentions. The disagreement over China’s intentions has led to opposing policy recommendations to Washington.