Bald Eagle and Red Dragon: Breaking the Pattern of Great Power Rivalry?

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There are few countries poised to have a more profound impact on the world than the People’s Republic of China. With China having the potential to become an economic, military and political peer competitor for the United States of America. However, ever since the reforms under Deng Xiaoping the two countries have become increasingly interlinked by the free flow of goods, capital, people and ideas, thus relations between the USA and China transcend the narrative of simple rivalry. Historically, whenever there was a rapid shift in the relative balance of power caused by a rising nation threatening to displace an established hegemon, the result was in most cases war. The underlying mechanisms of this so-called Thucydides trap have changed little since the time of ancient Greece. So, is the Sino-American relationship likewise headed for growing hostility and eventually military conflict or could China truly be able to rise peacefully? Consequently, the future evolution of the Sino-American Relationship will play a decisive role in shaping the development of the 21st century.