Understanding Our Place in the World and the Threat of global challengers
Understanding Our Place In the World The last half of Chapter One of the book, The Paradox of American Power by Joseph Nye Jr. is dedicated to defining the extent to which other nations are global challengers to the United States power. ... Essentially the only power who has the greatest potential for equality making for a more bipolar world is the eventual growth of the European Union (EU). ... Most Americans view China as one of our largest and most potential competitors for global dominance. ... but not in as a threat to our nation per se. “If the United States and China stumble into war or a cold war in East Asia, it will more likely be caused by inept policy related to Taiwan’s independence rather than China’s success as a global challenger” (Nye 22). China does not pose a credible threat to our state. ... However, it is not likely that Japan will take over our status as the world’s superpower. ... He implies that because their population will never be close to that of the United States, and unless they ally with China (which is doubtful) Japan will not become a global challenger either. ... Russia poses a militarily hard power threat to the United States, however, with a shaky economy, and little appeal for their soft power ideals, Russia will not intimidate the U. ... Nuclear warfare poses a slight threat, while other factors dissolve Russia as a credible fear that would disable the United States from pursuing interests abroad. However, according to Nye, “Because of its [Russia] residual nuclear strength, its proximity to Europe, and the potential of alliance with China or India, Russia can choose to cooperate or to cause problems for the United States but not to be a global challenger” (28).