China: New Great Power, New Threat

When thinking of the Great Powers of the world, some easily ready names come to mind. Obviously the United States, Great Britain, Russia perhaps, and as of recently—China. Yes, as the years have progressed, China has transformed from a strict powerless communist state in the international realm, to an economic powerhouse. AS China has begun to gain more and more power, especially within their region, they have also had the ability to evoke more influence towards other states in the world. It is this influence, based both on their rising economy and size that has seen China emerge as a possible threat to some of the Great Powers of the world. Yet some still argue whether China is a truly “Great” Power. A number of people may say that China lacks the ability to be classified as a Great Power because of the primitive state of their military capabilities. However, I would argue that the potential for China’s military might to match that of Russia and some of the other Great Powers is growing. China, with their growing economy and massive population will easily be able to create an advanced standing army in the future capable of allowing them to be labeled as a Great Power. Even today, we can see that this evolution of China’s military power and economy is putting pressure on other Great Powers. In the U.S. specifically, leaders and the public are worried about China’s growth. They are worried that as China grows stronger and their economy grows bigger, that they will soon challenge the U.S. as the world hegemon. While all of this may be true, can China be classified as a Great Power? Or are they simply threatening the norms of the other Great Powers?

            If one is looking at whether to classify China as a Great Power or not, they must first ask the question of what qualifies as being a Great Power. Is it military capabilities? Is it Economic Prosperity? Is it having a public that is well cared for and is able to live comfortably? Or is it rather a combination of all of these that would create a state that is a Great Power. After these questions are asked, it has to be determined whether or not Chinas has acquired (or can acquire) all of these. In terms of economic prosperity, China has clearly proven that they are a global superpower. Militarily, China has the potential to create one of the largest fighting forces in the world. However, if you are gauging whether or not China is a Great Power based on the advancement and welfare of its people, then they are clearly not there. Yet, in my own view, the way a state’s people live does not matter in terms of whether they are a Great Power or not. It is clear that China has begun to pose a threat to some of the other Great Powers because of their growing power—an idea that would be supported by a realist. This threat is not unheeded. As a Great Power, China may be able to have more influence over world policies. Not all of this influence may be in line with the ideals of the other Great Powers—a situation that poses the greatest threat. Yet with China already a part of the group, the other Great Powers will have to quickly adjust to respond to the Chinese.