Examining the “Existential Threat” of China
This blog examines the notion that China poses an “existential threat” to the West, and argues that it doesn't withstand the most cursory scrutiny. It discusses the fear of being branded as soft on China and how this contributes to groupthink.
Philippe Lemoine
I'm a PhD candidate in philosophy at Cornell. I'm also a research fellow at @CSPICenterOrg. I write about stuff. "At least he's pretty smart." (@bechhof)
-
This is excellent. https://t.co/NeHCOKtCZx
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023 -
"One prominent commentator characterized the apparent agreement about the “allegedly existential danger posed by the CCP” as “a classic example of groupthink” that was “forged out of paranoia, hysteria and, above all, fears of being branded as soft” on China."
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023
🎯 -
The notion that China poses an "existential threat" to the West is absolutely ludicrous. It doesn't withstand the most cursory scrutiny and is something nobody could say without fear of ridicule if the public debate about China were not totally dysfunctional.
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023 -
This is exactly right. If people who claim that China poses an "existential threat" to the US were forced to spell out exactly what this means, it would be immediately obvious that it's complete nonsense, but they never are so this empty slogan becomes received wisdom. pic.twitter.com/93OrJItkcT
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023 -
What the people who say that *really* fear is the end of American unipolarism, but it's inevitable and trying to make it last can only result in disaster, because the material basis for it has already disappeared and there is nothing anyone can do to bring it back.
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023 -
The American domination at the end of WWII, when the US accounted for half of the world GDP, was a historically anomalous situation that could not last and will never happen again. China will become more important but it will never achieve this kind of relative advantage.
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023 -
This is a point I made in my critique of liberal imperialism. I wish people would stop repeating dumb slogans and considered the facts more coldly. If you think China is going to destroy democracy, just ask yourself how exactly it could possibly do that. https://t.co/E6lSdyaSq3 pic.twitter.com/P0FQn6QRbN
— Philippe Lemoine (@phl43) March 16, 2023