The U.S.-China Contest: A Clash of Cultural Perspectives
The U.S.-China rivalry is often interpreted through economic and military metrics, but its deeper roots lie in divergent cultural perspectives.
- Conflicting Political Cultures: U.S. liberal individualism clashes with China’s Confucian collectivism, leading to mutual misreadings rooted in differing values (democracy/rights vs. hierarchy/state control).
- Historical Narratives Drive Policy: American exceptionalism prompts activist foreign policy; China’s “Century of Humiliation” memory fuels national rejuvenation and resistance to perceived Western dominance.
- Competing Global Norms: U.S. champions a rules-based liberal order; China prioritizes sovereignty, non-interference, and development, causing friction in global institutions and initiatives like the BRI.
- Tech Rivalry Reflects Values: The tech competition mirrors divergent values: U.S. favors openness/decentralization; China emphasizes data sovereignty/state control, reflecting contrasting views on privacy and state power.
This discussion argues that understanding the cultural foundations—values, historical narratives, and visions of order—is essential to formulating effective U.S. policy toward China.