How does the International System relate to my topic?

Liberalism / Neoliberal Institutionalism

            The liberal perspective of the Chinese sphere of influence is that there are many components dictating what occurs between China and the surrounding regions.  There are the interests of the general public, multinational corporations, and bureaucratic entities that all play into the process of how the Chinese sphere of influence is structured and how the United States reacts to it. 

            Another liberal conception of the international system is that China and the United States recognize that they share common interests.  These interests prevent either nation from taking extreme measures to strengthen themselves. 

            Neoliberal institutionalism is similar to realist thought in that they believe that the international system is anarchic by nature.  However it remains a liberal view in the sense that they conclude that cooperation is the final result. 

 

Realism / Neorealism

            The realist perspective on the international system is that the state is the primary actor in an anarchic global setting.  As the Chinese sphere of influence continues to grow in the world due to its huge economic success, the international community is seeing a gradual shift in the balance of power.  Right now, the world is currently a unipolar system with the United States as a relatively unchallenged hegemon.    However, as China continues to grow, it is slowly shifting towards a bipolar system, in which there are two great powers.  A realists would also point out that the sphere of influence is determined by the interactions of these two states. 

 

Radicalism / Dependency Theory

            According to radicalism, stratification, the uneven distribution of resources, is how the international system is defined.  The United States and China have far more resources than any nations in the vicinity.  And while nations like Japan and Taiwan are economically successful, they are at the mercy of political and militaristic power.  Therefore, these second tier nations are caught in the middle of an economic struggle between China and America. 

         Keep Marching On,

                 Red Army Commander Myers and Head Chairman Spellissy