Superpower Denied? Why China’s ‘Rise’ May Have Already Peaked

[sepheronx]

I know Hisroyalhighness has a tendency to play as mod sometimes, and really does not dispute what is really said: so explain to me. When was the last time US went up against a real power and not countries like Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan? Why is the global economic foundation being shaken by countries like Greece, Portugal ect? If the term Super Power is just resided to one country, then US can stop whomever they want, whenever they want and should not face potential economic issues when other countries collapse.

The term "superpower" is an abstract idea created by academics and politicians and tossed around during debates by ardent nationalists types over which state is more awesome than the next.

Does the term superpower describe a state's specific ability to conduct certain operations, get its interests via diplomatic/economic means? Not really. So who cares if China is a "Superpower" or not.

X2, very good post.

[Hisroyalhighness]

I don't like to play Mod, I just find myself loathing uberstrong fanboys who never actually lived in Russia.

[sepheronx]

I don't like to play Mod, I just find myself loathing uberstrong fanboys who never actually lived in Russia.

And what does that have to do with anything? Either you have reading comprehension issues or you just did not bother to read it at all and just jump the gun (like usual).

So answer my questions if I am wrong then. Please.

[junglejim]

The US did not need to bomb other western nations to kingdom come, because it had influence over it to get its point across. Hence a Superpower, even though Russia didnt kowtow to the US it acted to ensure that it wouldnt hurt the Us interest and go on a shooting war with it. Same for China... hence a Super Power. That sis why USSR was also considered a super power but not Russia.

More than the Olympic, I bet you the world would be more tuned in to the US election.

[Spartan10k]

US's economy is showing its prime and it being a so called super power is in question. Super power status is a load of **** because when did the US have any real say or power over other power nations like Russia? Russia does what they want how they want and so does China.

Russia has a better chance than China as well as being a so called super power due to the natural resources that everyone desires, and yet still has a military to back it up. Because they did not decide to stomp a couple third world nations in the last 2 decades does not mean they are not a major power.

In this global united economic structure, the concept of a Super Power is done for. If Greece, a small nation, has the ability to help destroy the global economy due to their downfall, is a sign that super power status is moot.

We encroached on former Warsaw Pact countries, and did they stop us?.....No. And if you actually had read the thread, you would have seen where I said Russia was one of the Great Powers preventing China from becoming a hegemon. So never have I suggested that Russia is anything less than a Great Power.

How about back up your claims with real IR theory, and give up the conjecture.

[sepheronx]

The US did not need to bomb other western nations to kingdom come, because it had influence over it to get its point across. Hence a Superpower, even though Russia didnt kowtow to the US it acted to ensure that it wouldnt hurt the Us interest and go on a shooting war with it. Same for China... hence a Super Power. That sis why USSR was also considered a super power but not Russia.

More than the Olympic, I bet you the world would be more tuned in to the US election.

The US election itself is viewed often here just as much as Elections in Russia or Diplamtic issues from China. I cannot say for the rest of the world. And same can be said about the other two countries like Russia and China. US will says something on media, but what will it do? It did not interfere with Georgia as an example. So much for being Georgians (or so what McCain said). How about Tibet? Last I checked, Tibet is still under Chinese authority and as much as we bitch and moan, nothing is done about it.

We encroached on former Warsaw Pact countries, and did they stop us?.....No. And if you actually had read the thread, you would have seen where I said Russia was one of the Great Powers preventing China from becoming a hegemon. So never have I suggested that Russia is anything less than a Great Power.

How about back up your claims with real IR theory, and give up the conjecture.

The encroaching of former Warsaw pact countries was something of the 90's. Funny as it was tried again, yet one of our to be NATO countries got wiped across the floor. Yet we did nothing. Ukraine seems to be going nowhere either.

Using the term Super Power is just another feel good concept.

[Hisroyalhighness]

So answer my questions if I am wrong then. Please.

Nah...I just wanted to troll you.

Hehehe your buttons are easy to push.

Russia is a strong regional power with a rich diversity of resources, large population and incredible military strength, but let's not go overboard or atleast let's wait a few decades. Although having a Multipolar world would be much beneficial to all states superpower, regional and alike.

Anyone to the topic at hand, Russia, India and the United States are carefully trying to curb China's rising status and they should, given how the red dragon is becoming more bold with it's disputed claims and it's disregard for other nations' sovereignty (Fishing fleet violations).

[sepheronx]

I seriously doubt Russia is doing anything to curb China. China is a huge investor in Russia and a strong China is keeping the spotlight on them rather than on Russia.

Edit: what I will admit is, if it comes down to leeway in politics (so influence) is what justifies a super power, then I will admit US is definately that. Because US has more political leeway than Russia does, and definitely more than China. China just is bullying others to try to go their way.

[junglejim]

The US election itself is viewed often here just as much as Elections in Russia or Diplamtic issues from China. I cannot say for the rest of the world. And same can be said about the other two countries like Russia and China. US will says something on media, but what will it do? It did not interfere with Georgia as an example. So much for being Georgians (or so what McCain said). How about Tibet? Last I checked, Tibet is still under Chinese authority and as much as we bitch and moan, nothing is done about it.



The encroaching of former Warsaw pact countries was something of the 90's. Funny as it was tried again, yet one of our to be NATO countries got wiped across the floor. Yet we did nothing. Ukraine seems to be going nowhere either.

Using the term Super Power is just another feel good concept.

When it says something on the media, it doesnt need to back it with force or threats if their interest arent there. The US has the influence and military might to stop any regional power including Russia if it wants to from achieving their national interest. Everybody knows that... the fact that the Russian Air Force is offering rides on their migs to civilians to earn money is a just an example of how vastly Russia have fallen from parity with the US.

As for Georgia, you really think if the Us sent in forces there, Russia would still attain its objective? But why would America waste resources when it has no serious interest over there?

[ubermensche]

^What he said. It's hard to draw a line between "power", "regional power" and "superpower". But bottom line question is, will China one day replace the US as the world's leading country in politics, economy and eventually culture?

While China is experiencing extremely high growth rates since the mid-1970s, this growth might be stalling and will probably stall indefinitely until China opens up its politics. Right now, much people are doubting the CCP.

When it comes to cultures, China is against the rest of the world. It should also be said that much of the world's cultural icons such as McDonald's, Starbucks, Nike, Sony, and Microsoft with the US and the West. They represent a strong economic factor too, for more people will go to McD's than some random Chinese fast food restaurant. Even China largely acclaims these icons. However, Chinese icons have for the most part very little influence in the rest of the world. Last but not least, English is the world's lingua franca-the default language that most people will speak when they can't communicate in their mother tongue.

These are embedded into people's minds and it takes more than high economic growth rates to change. The day that we'll all be speaking Chinese here and eating a Chinese version of McDonald's, than China has essentially became the world's leading superpower.

[sepheronx]

When it says something on the media, it doesnt need to back it with force or threats if their interest arent there. The US has the influence and military might to stop any regional power including Russia if it wants to from achieving their national interest. Everybody knows that... the fact that the Russian Air Force is offering rides on their migs to civilians to earn money is a just an example of how vastly Russia have fallen from parity with the US.

As for Georgia, you really think if the Us sent in forces there, Russia would still attain its objective? But why would America waste resources when it has no serious interest over there?

Probably. Why is it that the US did not interfere? Or what about Syria as well?

As for your comment about allowing personnel to fly migs, might show that you are not quite up to date with what is happening there. It has to do with Mikoyan Grivech rather than the military industrial complex. Just recently Mig is getting out of troubles economically with sales to India, Russia and Maynmar (Sukhoi was/is major R&D in aerospace atm there).

If it was just that easy, it would have been done. But it isn't. Simple as that.

What do I believe? I believe that neither side wants to confront each other as it would be a bloody battle and could end up a lot worst than Russia curbing Georgia or US curbing Syria.

^What he said. It's hard to draw a line between "power", "regional power" and "superpower". But bottom line question is, will China one day replace the US as the world's leading country in politics, economy and eventually culture?

While China is experiencing extremely high growth rates since the mid-1970s, this growth might be stalling and will probably stall indefinitely until China opens up its politics. Right now, much people are doubting the CCP.

When it comes to cultures, China is against the rest of the world. It should also be said that much of the world's cultural icons such as McDonald's, Starbucks, Nike, Sony, and Microsoft with the US and the West. They represent a strong economic factor too, for more people will go to McD's than some random Chinese fast food restaurant. Even China largely acclaims these icons. However, Chinese icons have for the most part very little influence in the rest of the world. Last but not least, English is the world's lingua franca-the default language that most people will speak when they can't communicate in their mother tongue.

These are embedded into people's minds and it takes more than high economic growth rates to change. The day that we'll all be speaking Chinese here and eating a Chinese version of McDonald's, than China has essentially became the world's leading superpower.

Cultural power may be a whole lot different than say political means. Companies like McDonalds and such will fly a different flag (so in other words, change locations) as due to where the money is. Things like Hollywood and alike, now that is different. That is a cultural supremacy that something China nor Russia nor anyone else can compete with.

[KoTeMoRe]

There is currently only 1 superpower. Superpower status is achieved when a country (like the USSR or the US) achieves hegemony on/in their continent/region (ie, no other power can challenge it) and can exert influence on other parts of the world. China is excluded in this because of both India and Russia. China cannot achieve hegemony while these 2 powers retain their Great Power status. Also, because the US is the sole superpower (some consider us the global hegemon), it will act to counter the rise of another super power and so will make it more difficult for China.

The USSR had its grip challenged be that in Europe or in Asia. Your very definition is a bit special, given how the US has little to threaten its hegemony on the Noth American continent. In a sense the US is living on a human desert, while China is living in a human ocean. By virtue of singlarity, the US is forced to be the dominant power it is, in order to be relevant. Its economical and social power, by the numbers tells a way more specific story.

We will call that Golbal Autism. It has less to do with power, it has to do with necessity. I hope China never tries to compete on that level, because it is an exercise in futility and overall waste.

[themacedonian]

The USSR had its grip challenged be that in Europe or in Asia. Your very definition is a bit special, given how the US has little to threaten its hegemony on the Noth American continent. In a sense the US is living on a human desert, while China is living in a human ocean. By virtue of singlarity, the US is forced to be the dominant power it is, in order to be relevant. Its economical and social power, by the numbers tells a way more specific story.

We will call that Golbal Autism. It has less to do with power, it has to do with necessity. I hope China never tries to compete on that level, because it is an exercise in futility and overall waste.

I like your line of thought.

Status of any power needs to go through challenges. Unchallenged status can not be even be assumed as such and it is only a perception of status.

China has only had internal challenges and IMO needs to prove itself.

[Eagle9294]

[QUOTE=sepheronx;6313641]Probably. Why is it that the US did not interfere? Or what about Syria as well?<BR><BR>As for your comment about allowing personnel to fly migs, might show that you are not quite up to date with what is happening there. It has to do with Mikoyan Grivech rather than the military industrial complex. Just recently Mig is getting out of troubles economically with sales to India, Russia and Maynmar (Sukhoi was/is major R&amp;D in aerospace atm there).<BR><BR>If it was just that easy, it would have been done. But it isn't. Simple as that.<BR><BR>What do I believe? I believe that neither side wants to confront each other as it would be a bloody battle and could end up a lot worst than Russia curbing Georgia or US curbing Syria.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Cultural power may be a whole lot different than say political means. Companies like McDonalds and such will fly a different flag (so in other words, change locations) as due to where the money is. Things like Hollywood and alike, now that is different. That is a cultural supremacy that something China nor Russia nor anyone else can compete with.

It would be political suicide for any American president to get caught up in a useless war over Georgia or Syria. There is nothing to be gained there. Besides, Putin really loves America and we benefit from a partnership with Russia.

[sepheronx]

It would be political suicide for any American president to get caught up in a useless war over Georgia or Syria. There is nothing to be gained there. Besides, Putin really loves America and we benefit from a partnership with Russia.

Scary, for once, I agree with you.