- ISBN13: 9781935308218
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Three powerful countries-China, India, and the United States-are competing for dominance in Asia, and U.S. policymakers need to adapt to the realities of a multipolar world. A pioneering, essential guide, Shifting Superpowers aims to energize the debate over the proper direction of U.S. foreign policy as Americans look to shed the burdens of global hegemony to other countries capable of defending their own interests in their own regions. Journalist Martin Sieff shows how American policies have contributed to the two countries’ rising mutual suspicion and resentment of the United States, and explores the traditional enmity between India and China, showing why they are determined to minimize friction and avoid any risk of conflict. He challenges policymakers to confront common perceptions: China is not automatically America’s sworn enemy and India is not going to be America’s loyal ally in the coming decades. Wisdom, realism, and moderation are essential in framing policies for both nations.
Shifting Superpowers: The New and Emerging Relationships between the United States, China and India
While it is obvious that China, India, and the U.S. will each play dominant roles in the global economy of the twenty-first century, the relations between these three nations can develop in different ways. China, India, and the U.S. all have negative historical experience with foreign powers, especially England, but how will these three powers interact now that we are the primary world powers? How can we avoid the mistakes of the past?
Shifting Superpowers in an interesting read just as a quick overview of Chinese and Indian history. The use of this history by Sieff to inform policy issues is, to say the least, an added benefit. Good relations between China, India, and the U.S. will be key to progress in the twenty-first century. Sieff is addressing vitally important issues in a thoughtful way.
Rating: 4 / 5
They are three of the most powerful countries in the world. The relationship between the United States, China, and India is certainly one to watch with a close eye. “Shifting Superpowers: The New and Emerging Relationship Between the United States, China, and India” is a scholarly investigation into the modern world as it is, where the United States is no longer the sole dominant super power. India and China have taken massive strides of importance to grow into quite the powerhouses, and the United States must now treat the two nations as an political, military, and economic equals on the world stage for a more harmonious existence in the long run. “Shifting Superpowers” is a top pick for modern political science collections, very highly recommended.
Rating: 5 / 5
Sieff goes beyond the Tom Friedman’s of the world, and lists out all the challenges that will face the U.S., China, and India as they develop their relationships in the coming years. Sieff does a good job of describing how the increased economic integration between China and the U.S. will not automatically smooth out relations, particularly over Taiwan. Given the shocking level of violence that China experienced in the 20th century, Americans should not be surprised that Beijing is so afraid of the slightest bit of uncertainty in planning its future.
Sieff, unlike other Western writers, finally acknowledges the role that the Indian Army played in the 20th century, particularly in the Middle East and SE Asia. In all those World War 2 movies that show white British troops – more likely, it was an Indian lad fighting for the British Empire. The Indian Army was the only Asian army that was able to stop the Japanese war machine in WW II from advancing further into Asia. Sieff also coins an expression “look at a map” that is of use to the reader. He notes that regardless of whatever values America & India share, Indians look at a map, and see China right next door, and America is far far away. So, for the immediate future, India will not antagonize China just to suit some American ideas of keeping China boxed in. Nor will India stop using nearby Russia as a supplier of military equipment, since Russia has developed a 30+ year relationship as a reliable supplier.
One fact-checking error. India’s first nuclear test was in 1974, not 1998 as Sieff wrote. But, this book is a necessary book, that should be read by any naive Beltway type that believes India & China will be content being America’s junior partner. If anything, both countries see themselves as re-asserting their central place in world events.
Rating: 4 / 5