Column: China a big issue for America
Published April 20, 2010
One of the largest issues facing U.S. foreign policy is the question of China.
China as a country is something unique around the world. Even though a central planning government normally coincides with a failing economy, China flourishes.
Although oppressive laws that circumvent civil rights typically result in democratic rebellions, China's citizens, albeit frequently annoyed, are in no hurry to tear down the communist government.
We have a lot of trouble understanding that in the U.S. We can't imagine why people who aren't allowed to use Twitter or watch scandalous television wouldn't cry out for democracy. But should China be democratic?
China will most likely be the second strongest economic power on the planet in just a couple years, if it isn't already, but that future China challenges long-held Western concepts about Asia, central planning, culture and democracy. China is a very perplexing hybrid of socialist and capitalist economic policies.
Although China's government has very strict regulations concerning its businesses and corporations, it's one of the most open markets in the world in terms of the global economy.
China thrives on its low-cost manufacturing that brings in global business, and it imports products from all over the world. American imports from China have increased sevenfold since 1993. In addition to economic success, China is starting to lead the way in environmentally conscious infrastructures and national policies.
The unanswered question in China's future seems to be whether it can transition out of a communist government or at least work toward a less repressive government. China is afraid social reforms will rock its economic boat, so to speak.
China will have to deal with an increasingly vocal and assertive population over the next few years, and how it handles that transition is the question. Other nations, such as Taiwan, South Korea, Spain and Portugal, have modernized their economies and survived the social uprising that accompanies a more educated, skilled and economically stable workforce.
These countries weathered those storms and have come out with greater stability and legitimacy. China has to manage a substantially larger population that is diverse in its politics and needs.
China will owe a lot of its future legitimacy and status to the U.S. Even as we face problems in our economy and foreign policy, our continued economic relationship with China is something the world relies on for financial stability.
The U.S. has likely been very wise to cooperate with China, allowing it to rise in peaceful terms. The likelihood of a Chinese military threat to the U.S. is very slim. China might be our greatest challenger in terms of global importance, but at least for the time being, China and the U.S. are engaging in friendly competition.
So how important is it that China be a fully functioning Western democracy? The citizens don't want it, and the transition would threaten the global order. I think China definitely needs to make some changes in how it treats its citizens, but is a complete overhaul necessary? I don't believe so.
I think as it gains more global influence, China will have distinguished itself as a new type of government, one that blends democratic ideals with its already mixed influences. Perhaps democracy is not the only "right" way for China to govern itself.
Jordan Stein is a senior political science major. She can be reached at jesf25@mail.missouri.edu