Publication date UK format 16/8/22 book 288 pages
I would like to thank the author, publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to pick this to read and review. all my reviews are honest.
Synopsis
It has become conventional wisdom that America and China are running a “superpower marathon” that may last a century. Yet Hal Brands and Michael Beckley pose a counterintuitive question: What if the sharpest phase of that competition is more like a decade-long sprint? The Sino-American contest is driven by clashing geopolitical interests and a stark ideological dispute over whether authoritarianism or democracy will dominate the 21st century. But both history and China’s current trajectory suggest that this rivalry will reach its moment of maximum danger in the 2020s. China is at a perilous moment: strong enough to violently challenge the existing order, yet losing confidence that time is on its side. Numerous examples from antiquity to the present show that rising powers become most aggressive when their fortunes fade, their difficulties multiply, and they realize they must achieve their ambitions now or miss the chance to do so forever. China has already started down this path. Witness its aggression toward Taiwan, its record-breaking military buildup, and its efforts to dominate the critical technologies that will shape the world’s future. Over the long run, the Chinese challenge will most likely prove more manageable than many pessimists currently believe—but during the 2020s, the pace of Sino-American conflict will accelerate, and the prospect of war will be frighteningly real. America, Brands and Beckley argue, will still need a sustainable approach to winning a protracted global competition. But first, it needs a near-term strategy for navigating the danger zone ahead.
My Review
This was a very interesting read. It was well argued that as China improves as a country the threat between countries increases mainly America. This is a very eye opening book that had the ages turnering fast. I enjoyed it immensely and read it all in one day. While reading this book I learnt so many things. I especially found it fascinating how china's restrictions on child birth has had an effect on the numbers of younger generation to progress the country. Also the traditions of the younger generation looking after the elders causes many different problems itself.
The authors arguments about the possibility of conflict were very interesting but I had the feeling they were definitely holding back somewhat. I'm guessing they don't want their book to start a war. I really recommend this book if you are interested in china's politics, military strengths and social history of the country and how they potentially make it a superpower.
Many thanks to the authors and publishers for creating this very interesting and eye opening well argued and researched book.
Where you can buy this book
Amazon US K $13.48, AUDIBLE, HC $25.59
Waterstones HC £22.00
Google Books ebook £14.30
B&N HC $30.00, EBOOK $20.99
Kobo ebook £15.89
Amazon UK K £11.39, AUDIBLE, HC £22.00
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