A New Era, A New Game.
This is a new era and thus, a new game. To continue as the world leader, America needs to play by a new set of rules. Roosevelt’s foreign policy doctrine to “speak softly and carry a big stick” no longer holds the power it held prior to the Cold War. It is no longer our military superiority that leads to power, rather it is our diplomatic and economic policies that sustains the American century.
Throughout the Cold War, our economic strategies, backed by our military leadership, created an intricate global network of allies for the U.S. Pledging financial support for countries fighting authoritarianism with the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, establishing the Bretton Woods system for the dollar, and engaging as a key player in the World Trade Organization, the U.S persistently confronted threats to democracy. While the Soviets reached for outer space, we prioritized our economic policies to secure a U.S. victory. Even though the Soviets poured billions into the space race, the U.S. invested in establishing transatlantic relations and uplifting allies for democracy, forcing the Soviet Union into bankruptcy in their efforts to achieve parity.
Recently, the strides towards democracy have undoubtedly faltered under former president Trump, who supported illiberal dictators, impaired democratic ally relations and even fought to overturn legitimate democratic election results. Trump sought to convince millions of Americans in a fraudulent electoral college, which is arguably the epitome of democracy in the US. Throughout the past four years, we have seen a divergence in foreign policy approach between Europe and the U.S., weakening the U.S.’s transatlantic ties while China continues to grow into a world superpower.
Over the past two decades, China has embarked on major reform programs, such as the Belt and Road initiative, Go Out policy, and Made in China 2025, propelling the Chinese economy to prosperity and asserting China’s international influence. China is now leaping beyond brick-and-mortar manufacturing industries and into more innovative and profitable fields. For example in an article from The Economist, DIDI, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, has more users than the U.S. has people. With China’s economic power comes an increased likelihood of success in spreading ideology. Since we have entered a new era where economic power on top of military might is required to spread ideologies, the US will have to abide by these new rules. If not, the U.S. may find its interests at home and abroad less secure.
My hometown serves as a prime example of how China’s economic superiority aids in spreading ideology. I am from Hong Kong. Hong Kong, the once flourishing financial and innovation center of the world, which once contributed to most of China’s wealth, is now only a negligible percentage of China’s overall GDP. I remember witnessing the impressive industrialization of China with my own eyes simply from crossing the bridge connecting Hong Kong to Shenzhen China while growing up. The once empty skyline is now densely populated with shining skyscrapers and thriving commercial centers home to large companies. China’s success in decreasing democracy in Hong Kong is attributed to China’s economic prowess and Hong Kong’s economic weakness. Despite the violent protests by citizens to preserve democracy in Hong Kong, money holds power, and China has money. The former British colony waved UK flags, outcrying for the UK to safeguard Hong Kong’s democracy. Yet why is the UK nor any other Western country supporting Hong Kong’s impassioned fight for democracy? According to the statistics of the European Commission, China is the EU’s largest source of import and second-largest export market. With China being such an influential trading partner of the EU, the EU has a responsibility to maintain good relations with China. From a competitive standpoint, the U.S. is the only country that could compete with China economically.
The new rules for the game uphold. It is China’s great economic power that allowed China to effectively spread ideology in Hong Kong.
Where is America in this fight? The United Kingdom, a tiny economic competitor compared to China, could only do so much to protect democracy in its former colony. That can be America’s first step — to reclaim its title as the world’s premier economic power and refuel the American thirst to spread democracy. Engage in the new economic game with China and live up to the name of the world’s largest economy. It is time for the Biden administration as well as future administrations to reinforce that America still values democracy and the international spread of our liberal ideology. In order to repair transatlantic relations, we first have to make sure our ideological stance is clear, by taking foreign policy actions and restoring faith in America for European nations. Since China is so deeply involved in the transatlantic economy, the US can enact economic policies with the EU to surpass the economic benefits China has to offer. Perpetuating the U.S. ally relationship with countries in the EU is a necessary step for the U.S. to be one step ahead in the new economic game. My hometown is no longer a democracy, but there is hope for other countries. I hope America can find purpose from Hong Kong’s case to fight for other countries combating threats to democracy and make the voices of those countries heard.
