Sino-American Relations: Mutual Paranoia

The book, a trenchant critique of the American China Policy, explores the reasons for continuing American paranoia in viewing China as a potential enemy even though China poses no economic or strategic threat. Even the U.S. Defense Department concedes that, except for a small elite force, Chinese defence forces are ill-trained, ill-equipped and technologically lag far behind the U.S. Armed Forces. Even during the Mao era, China did not underestimate the importance of the United States, both as a source of technology and as a market but above all as a countervailing force against the erstwhile Soviet Union. However, all Chinese overtures were either misunderstood or ignored because of the disproportionate influence of ultra-conservatives in American politics. The book concludes that American paranoia can be explained mainly in terms of American political culture with its insatiable demand for funds for never ending elections. As beneficiaries of big business largesse, presidents and Congress members promote the interests of their financiers. One good way to provide easy money for large corporation is to have intermittently winnable mini-wars. The threat of a potential enemy also acts as a means of social control. It is in these contexts that the threat of China as a potential enemy is kept alive. The book will be highly useful to the students, teachers, and researchers of political science and international relations. In addition, policymakers, diplomats and those interested in knowing about Sino-American relations will find it equally valuable.