China Sample
The China Fallacy provides an interesting perspective between American perception and that of economic reality. The book illustrates, how in many instances, a disconnect between truth and reality has the potential to create unnecessary conflicts between parties. The China Fallacy is no different in this regard. Within the book, the author Donald Gross illustrates how the notions of security, economic turmoil, and political instability are skewed within the general public. Gross also illustrates that it is in the best interest of the United States to allow China to prosper and flourish. This prosperity, Gross argues, will ultimately lead to an optimal relationship between the two countries, abating many of the negative influences that plague them. Gross, in his book provides solutions to abate the influences that society deems important to U.S.- China relations while also providing means to expand the overall relationship in a sustainable manner. Through his literature, Gross hopes to avoid another Cold War, while also contributing to prosperous relationship between the United States and China.
To begin, the first fallacy mentioned in detail within the book is that of military threat China posses to the United States. The media in particular has used puffery to overplay the threat of military action. Conflicts between China and Japan within the south sea only exacerbate this assumption. Due primarily to the overall size and geographic location of China, the general public believes that the nation can harness untapped military might. Gross however dispels this notion by providing actual figures of military armaments of both nations. Below is a chart summarizing his figures.
Item
United States
China
Warhead
ICBM missiles
65
Land Missiles with the ability to actually hit the opposing nation
51
Battle groups
11
1 (Only 1 refurbished aircraft carrier)
These numbers do not include the extensive amounts of drones, missiles, aircraft,...
As the statistics indicate, these fears are unlikely to materialize currently. However, if American society continues to have a protectionist attitude towards China, Gross argues that this alone could exacerbate military conflict. China, realizing that America anticipates conflict, will retaliate by modernizing its fleet. This action-reaction dynamic will ultimately create even more unrest and animosity between U.S. And China relations. The actions by both sides will encourage war, as the modernization of fleets and military power will create conflict and mistrust. Gross, therefore argues that having open relations with China will be more beneficial than the protectionist attitude in which the Obama Administration is taking towards China. Currently, China does not have the military power to overtake America. However, if America continues its mistrust of China, it will ultimately lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy in which China modernizes its systems for war capabilities.
The books also explains China's role in regards to cyber security. Cyber terrorism is extremely dangerous as it is first difficult to detect and second, it can come from anywhere. Now, as China develops and becomes a national superpower the likelihood of a potential attack increases exponentially. One form of cyber crime of particular importance is that of financial fraud. This type of attach has a direct impact on the economy of the target nation. As we have seen with September 11th and other terrorist attacks the best method in which to attack a developed nation such as the United States is through its economy. As such financial terrorism of fraud is the integral piece in which to accomplish this. As Gross indicates, many of America's largest and most established companies are not exempt from this form of style manipulation. In today's fast paced information age, fraudulent activities are now becoming more difficult to detect, and…
