To what extent does the rise of China pose a fundamental challenge to Essay

To what extent does the rise of China pose a fundamental challenge to the liberal world order - Essay Example It is remarkable how China has managed to rise from a country struggling to develop into a leading global economy in just three decades. During the past three decades, the United States exercised hegemony over global affairs, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today, however, China has taken a leading position in world affairs especially in terms of economic prowess. China is poised to surpass the United States in exercising global hegemony in the near future. Such views have stemmed from the fact that China has built highly complex systems of conducting global business that has enabled China’s economy to grow rapidly. Although China has asserted that it does not wish to become a global hegemonic state, there is speculation that circumstances will force China to do so. Therefore, the way that Western countries will handle China’s ascent to global affairs will conclude the outcome of liberal internationalism. The international arena will either become a hegemonic or multi-polar environment with China’s ascent to power. The apprehension on China’s ability to challenge the liberal world order is based on China’s domestic politics, which are characterized by an autocracy that feels no need to uphold the rule of law. Accordingly, it is speculated that if China surpasses the United States as a superpower, then the former will conduct international law and politics in similar fashion as it does domestically. The Communist Party in China has led the country to a stable political-economy, evident during the recent global recession (Ross & Zhu, 2008; pp. 219). While Western countries and in particular the United States was hit hard by the recession, the Communist-Party led government of China was able to withstand the recession and maintain high economic growth rates. As a result, the Yuan is rapidly gaining international value and is on the way to rivaling the US dollar, an occurrence that will surely solidify Chinaâ €™s international stature (Inkenberry, 2011). In line with this argument, it is speculated that once China achieves the superpower status, it will run international political-economic affairs using the same policies used by the Communist Party domestically. Most Western countries view the communist government as being led by corrupt officials and people with total disregard for the rule of law. Considering this view point, many are worried that if China uses the policies promulgated by the communists in the international arena, then the liberal world order will be under serious