Theory for the Front Lines: How Alexander Wendt Explains the Inevitable U.S.-China Confrontation
The shelves are filled with books about the U.S.-China relationship. Many offer dire warnings of an "avoidable war" or an "accidental conflict," framing the challenge as one that can be managed through better diplomacy or a deeper understanding of economic codependency. While essential, these perspectives often overlook a fundamental question: what if the very nature of the relationship, as it has evolved, makes confrontation an inevitable outcome?
In his vital new work, "China's Path to Dominance: Preparing for Confrontation with the United States," Dr. Derek Levine provides a powerful and unsettling answer. Written for policymakers, military planners, and scholars, this book is a rare achievement: a direct application of high-level international relations theory to the messy, high-stakes reality of great power competition.
The unique contribution of Dr. Levine's analysis is its sophisticated theoretical framework. He moves beyond simple realism or liberalism to apply the social-constructivist theories of renowned political scientist Alexander Wendt. Wendt argued that the international system is shaped by shared ideas and identities, which create distinct "cultures of anarchy." Dr. Levine masterfully uses this lens to chart the U.S.-China relationship's evolution:
From a Hobbesian Culture (Enemies): During the height of the Cold War, the U.S. and China viewed each other as existential threats, where survival was the only goal.
To a Lockean Culture (Rivals): Following normalization, this evolved into a relationship of competitive coexistence. In this Lockean culture, both states recognize the other's right to exist but remain driven by deep suspicion and self-interest.
It is this Lockean culture of rivalry, Dr. Levine argues, that defines our current moment. From this perspective, China's assertive foreign policy—its Belt and Road Initiative, its aggressive technology acquisition, its "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy—are not aberrations. They are the logical actions of a superpower seeking to maximize its position within a system where it views the United States as a strategic, if not existential, competitor.
By tracing this evolution through pivotal moments like the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Tiananmen Square incident, and China's economic ascent, Dr. Levine builds an undeniable case that the trajectory toward confrontation is not a matter of miscalculation, but of structure. The flashpoint of Taiwan is not an isolated issue, but the ultimate expression of this deep-seated rivalry.
"China's Path to Dominance" is an indispensable resource for those who cannot afford to rely on hope as a strategy. It provides the intellectual architecture needed to understand the deep-seated forces driving this conflict and offers a clear-eyed foundation for preparing for what is to come.
The future of global order is being decided now. Equip yourself with the framework to understand it. Order your copy of "China's Path to Dominance" today.
Order your copy today on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTTNT8F9
