In its effort to develop a comprehensive grand strategy, the U.S seeks to regenerate itself and the larger West by a complex balance of the Far East and Asia to counter China’s rising influence1.
Main Points
Make U.S the worlds’ most stable and democratic power
- U.S must showcase best democratic practices and values globally
- U.S strives to maintain world leadership through liberalized world order, democracy, economy, human rights and non-proliferation of arms2.
Initiate cooperation in the larger West
- Maintain closer ties with EU, commit to NATO, manage EU, lure Turkey and democratize Russia.
- Maintain vibrancy in European security; continued cooperation along political, military and economic arrangements in central EU
- Encourage deeper unification of entire EU; re-unite Russia and Poland
- Change of reconciliation strategy between Russia and Poland from government level to socio-cultural level
- Bandwagon effect of rich west and dynamic east to force Russia into larger EU
- Preconditions for Russia’ joining of EU based on democratization
- Russia must cooperate with EU along social, economic, political & security levels
Influence other cultures in the globe towards a universal democratic culture
Calculated engagement with the East
- U.S and China to embrace constructive partnership on global affairs
- U.S avoids hostile critics of China’s human rights violation record, socio-economic system
- Avoid ideological confrontation between China and U.S
- U.S’ role in Asia to be balancer among emerging powers
- U.S recognize external military power will not bring geopolitical equilibrium in Asia
- U.S must uphold U.S-Japan treaty obligations to forge U.S-Japanese – Chinese triangle
- The triangular relationship could be consensus for balanced power between the big three
Play a duo role in the Eurasia
- Promote and guarantee unity in greater west
- Balance and reconcile between eastern powers
- U.S to re-invent itself to win world legitimacy through innovations, education, diplomacy and quality leadership
Connections
Security and governance (politics)
According to Robert, J.A3, the U.S grand strategy focuses on dominion, global collective security, regional collective security, containment, isolationism and selective engagement. The strategy is also supported by Wolfforth, William4. Brzezinski5, 2004, argues that international balance of power in the larger west (Eurasia), Far East and Asia will promote peace and stability in the future. He addresses scenarios for possible stability or instability. He is optimistic that greater integration of Europe economically, politically, socially and culturally will guarantee future stability. The U.S should encourage intensified reconciliation efforts between Russia and Poland along socio-cultural levels, as opposed to governmental levels.
Furthermore, U.S and Chinese relations if not handled with care along three main issues. The military reconnaissance missions in international waters and air space, the modernizing Chinese military capabilities and U.S recognition of Taiwan as part of China while at the same time selling weapons to Taiwan as a sovereign state, would lead to political hostility between U.S and China with disastrous consequences6. The two powers must practice self restraint to avert provocation of a delicate balance of power in the international arena.
Culture
The article recognizes that socio-cultural exchange interventions or arrangements between Russia and Poland and other Eastern blocks will encourage cooperation. For instance, social, political, economic and cultural levels of engagement would encourage integration faster as opposed to government level cooperation7. Some scholars doubt whether the democratic agenda pursued by the U.S will be a viable foreign policy.
Resources and development (Economics)
Brzezinski further stresses that Russia’s energy resources continue a pose threat to larger Europe in the event that EU was to splinter. In his worst case scenario analysis, Russia would usurp power and forge the imperialist ambitious with fatal consequences should U.S uni polarity dominance collapse. Russia would for instance absorb Ukraine, while individual EU states would accommodate with Russia causing another holocaust.
Environment
The article has not discussed any environmental issue.
Critique and Reflections
From the foregoing, I slightly differ with Brzezinski’s assertion that the U.S will revitalize itself and counter China’s rising status. There is no guarantee that U.S’ economy, military and technological innovations will stop other ambitious emerging powers to invest in the same grand strategy and upset the waters. China has the capacity to invest in technology, military and technology. The Asian tigers and India are emerging economies that will stabilize their own institutions and pursue advancement. Russia is a sleeping giant with vast energy resources. U.S and larger EU’s economic depression recently did not affect China which registered substantial growth. Technologically China has been perfecting and investing in education, military and economy. It is potentially possible that former communist regimes could forge alliances e.g China, Russia, former Soviet Union states. Furthermore, the U.S has no strategy to stop China from advancing military capabilities8. Conversely, I support his view that, in order to keep a stable world order, the U.S and China must pursue self restraint. Both powers should avoid hostility and embrace strategic cooperation. While this argument is true, it seems far fetched.
The U.S and China pursue hegemonic power. China scrambles for upstaging the U.S while the U.S prefers the status quo of uni polarity. The argument that, foreign policy instruments like; democratization of former communist states and undemocratic societies, as a means, to advancing U.S cultural values and beliefs in the external world may not actualize the intended goals. Individual countries contextualize democracy values suit their value systems. In the end, several versions of democracies emerge. There are quasi-communist democracies and quasi-liberal democracies that deviate from the perceived standard unipolar democracy pursued by the U.S. Besides, in the future the U.S will not be able to contain china from advancing its policies to other weaker states to galvanize support to counter the U.S because of globalization. In fact, future balance of power in the international community looks opaque, with high possibilities of re-alignments between powers.
Bibliography
Gerald, Segal. “Does China Matter?” Foreign Affairs, Vol 78, No.5, 1999: 24-36.
Art, Robert. “Geopolitics Updated: The Strategy of International Engagement.” International Security 23, No.3, (1999): 79-113.
Wohlforth, William. “The Stability of Unipolar World.” International Security 24, No.1, (1999): 5-41.
Yong, Deng. Is there A US Global Strategy? The Global Role of the US and Implications for the PRC and US. Seattle. Washington : United Sates Naval Academcy, 2000.
Zbigniew, Brzezinski. Balancing the East, Upgrading the West: US Grand Strategy in an Age of Upheaval. 2004.
Footnotes
- Brzezinsk, Zbigniew. Balancing the East, Upgrading the West: US GrandStrateg y in an Age of Upheaval, 2004.
- Robert, Art. “Geopolitics Updated: The Strategy of International Engagement.” International Security 23, No.3, (1999): 79-113.
- Robert, Art. “Geopolitics Updated: The Strategy of International Engagement.” International Security, Vol. 23, No.3, 1999: 79-113.
- William, Wohlforth. “The Stability of Unipolar World.” International Security 24, No.1, (1999): 5-41.
- Brzezinski, Zbigniew. Balancing the East, Upgrading the West: US Grand Strategy in an Age of Upheaval, 2004.
- Deng, Yong. Is there A US Global Strategy? The Global Role of the US and Implications for the PRC and US. Seattle. Washington : United Sates Naval Academcy, 2000, pp. 45.
- Brzezinski, Zbigniew. Balancing the East, Upgrading the West: US GrandStrategy in an Age of Upheaval. 2004.
- Gerald, Segal. “Does China Matter?” Foreign Affairs 78, No.5, (1999): 24-36.