A Contest for Supremacy

A Contest for Supremacy examines the socioeconomic forces at play in US-China relations. I do not share the author's conclusion, but it's an engaging book.

According to Friedberg, despite its impressive size and population, economic vitality, and drive to upgrade its military, China remains a vulnerable nation surrounded by powerful rivals and potential foes. Understanding China's foreign policy means fully appreciating these geostrategic challenges, which persist even as the country gains increasing influence over its neighbors. Andrew J. Nathan and Andrew Scobell analyze China's security concerns on four fronts: at home, with its immediate neighbors, in surrounding regional systems, and in the world beyond Asia. By illuminating the issues driving Chinese policy, A Contest for Supremacy offers a new perspective on the country's rise and a strategy for balancing Chinese and American interests in Asia.