China the Internat'l Order

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

The sudden and wholly unexpected rise of China has dramatically changed the world’s economic, political and military landscape. While this change is, in many ways, a restoration of the historic role that China played for thousands of years, China is now encountering a world unlike any that it has ever seen. They have never encountered an established power as strong as the United States, while at the same time, its neighbors such as India, Japan, Korea, etc. are emerging as powers in their own right. Moreover, China’s prosperity is now heavily dependent on resources from countries from around the planet. This has forced China to play a much bigger and more engaged role with the rest of the world. The result is the most formidable power and potential adversary the United States has ever faced in the history of our nation. The same can be said for China. This elective focuses in on China and its relations with the United States and the major powers of Asia. It recognizes that China will be the most critical economic, security, and foreign policy challenge for the U.S. and its Asian neighbors, who are increasingly depending on us as we step through the 21st Century. At the same time, America’s post-WWII role as the world’s “reluctant sheriff” is going through a profound re-examination both at home and abroad. New challenges and roles are quickly evolving. This course aims to examine, discuss, and shed light on China’s new position and place in the early 21st Century.