US-China rivalry: A potential conflict?
Author
Bødker, Kristoffer
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-02-01
Pages
46
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan den nuværende relation mellem USA og Kina udvikler sig mod øget konfrontation. Det placerer rivaliseringen i Indo-Pacifics strategiske og økonomiske kontekst og fremhæver centrale brændpunkter som Det Sydkinesiske Hav, Taiwanstrædet samt spændinger relateret til handel og avanceret teknologi, herunder mikrochips. Med afsæt i realistisk international politik (offensiv/defensiv realisme) og et økonomisk perspektiv, herunder arbejdsdelingsteori, anvender studiet et multiple-case design, der sammenligner sikkerheds- og økonomiske domæner og vurderer begge stormagters kapabiliteter sammen med geopolitiske og økonomiske dynamikker. Indledningen beskriver Kinas langvarige militære modernisering, uløste regionale konflikter og intensiveret konkurrence om teknologi og forsyningskæder samt amerikanske modtræk som fri sejlads-operationer og handelsrestriktioner. Metodiske overvejelser adresserer intern og ekstern validitet samt reliabilitet. Specialets overordnede forskningsspørgsmål er, hvordan rivaliseringen bevæger sig mod yderligere konfrontation; de leverede sider indeholder ikke den endelige analyse eller konklusioner, men peger på fortsatte spændinger og begrænsede udsigter for hurtige løsninger.
This thesis examines how the current US–China relationship is evolving toward increased confrontation. It situates the rivalry within the Indo-Pacific’s strategic and economic context and highlights key flashpoints such as the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and tensions tied to trade and advanced technologies, including microchips. Drawing on realist international relations theory (offensive/defensive realism) and an economic lens, including Division of Labour theory, the study employs a multiple-case design that compares security and economic domains and assesses the capabilities of both powers alongside geopolitical and economic dynamics. The introduction outlines China’s long-term military modernization, unresolved regional disputes, and intensifying competition over technology and supply chains, as well as US responses such as freedom of navigation operations and trade restrictions. Methodological considerations address internal and external validity and reliability. The overarching research question asks how the rivalry is moving toward further confrontation; while the provided pages do not include the final analysis or conclusions, they point to continued tensions and limited prospects for near-term resolution.
[This summary has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project (PDF)]
Keywords
Documents