Illustrative Template for National Growth - Case Study Example

You Your Illustrative Template for National Growth: Chinas Emergent Economic Dominance Influencing Asian Nations Considering political initiatives designed to overcome decades of conflict with its neighboring nations, the Peoples Republic of China is swiftly transforming its strategic proposals in regards to foreign policy. With a rapid political denouncement of its previous warlord regimes, ideals once serving a mentality for invasion and conquers are being replaced with modernizations in industry and commercial trade. Most noticeably affected are the easing tensions and the breakdown of mistrust involving relations with India and Pakistan. Though militant growth continues to remain an objective in Chinas internal strategies, its positive, international examples of sustained economic growth have become the cornerstone for easing diplomatic tensions with other Asian nations. China is rapidly emerging as an economic motivator both in its internal commercial development and on the global front. Its progression towards Westernized advances, in most economic aspects, was an inevitable process if it hoped to integrate with the rest of the industrialized international community. Proven financial success from industrial nations such as The United States offered China an opportunity to emulate their successes. In doing so, Chinas position as a global leader (You) 2 has, in itself, laid the groundwork for other Asian nations adoption of similar growth. Shedding militant philosophy in exchange for diplomatic incentives increases opportunities for mutual exchanges in trade growth and to ensure a position in international decision-making; this stemming from economic recognition in the global community. The success story of Chinas growing dominance in foreign affairs will likely set the tone for increased peaceful relations throughout Asia, if only to secure the economic interests of those who negotiate with China, and earn stature from her. Shifting priorities in China also sustain differences in social climate, especially in the trade negotiation process. Extremist groups, militant factions, and social unrest due to poverty serve to take attention away from domestic issues and curb momentum in value-added discussions. Cultural differences, largely stemming from religious principals within other Asian nations, play a monumental factor in adopting new trade initiatives between China, India, and Pakistan alike. Culture, a set of shared and enduring meanings, values, and beliefs that characterize national, ethnic, and other groups and orient their behavior (Faure and Sjostdet, 3), remains a gap in maintaining open discussions between these nations. Cultural differences can hinder economic foreign policy as the needs of a diverse cultural populace create conflict in adopting positive relationships. However, no negotiator will allow a bridge to these differences to be constructed if he feels threatened or sees the bridge as a long-term danger to security.1 Warfare, despite its massive costs in lives and propery, remains a common way to pursue political _______________ 1See Lewicki, et al, Section 11- for further devices in bridging cultural gaps during negotiation processes. (You) 3 objectives (Henslin, 457). Though the probability of military conflict between India and China has become quite minimal, technological and innovative breakthroughs in modernized warfare make the situation of continuing border disputes with India more deadly, and in particular, an economically costly objective. Indias proliferation of nuclear materials, in conjunction with Chinas own nuclear capabilities, serves to cushion tensions between them in solidifying its national security. This apparent softness may be due to external pressures and each sides possession of nuclear weapons (Ali, 34). Largely industrialized nations remain the foremost producers of nuclear weaponry, emphasizing the idea that only economic stability can guarantee superiority in gathering nuclear materials. This remains another reason why India has suddenly shifted its long-enduring hostility toward China to a more diplomatic response. As Indias technological advances begin rivaling that of its neighbor, adoption of economic incentives replaces that of mistrust. Since the Cold War, against the desire of India, China has maintained a relatively close relationship with Pakistan. With the hot-tempered, international assumptions of hostility associated with current administration of The United States, this relationship will probably not dissolve in the near future. Pakistan, embedded in a Mid-East region of Asia that is in a state of governmental, societal, and economic upheaval, carries strategic advantages to maintaining this relationship with China. As an economic leader, China has the potential to act as a protective entity to Pakistan, should a hostile U.S. invasion occur. However, with the growth of Indian economic stability, and the trade dollars between them at all-time highs, China has called (You) 4 attention to its desire to maintain a more balanced foreign policy towards these two countries. Relationships between India and Pakistan are not without their share of complications. Pakistani propaganda offering exaggerated threats from India, such as citing Indias desire to repossess all of Pakistan, unsettles both nations relationship with China (Ganguly). India, realizing that it would be in its best interests to maintain solid political and economic ties to China, is reluctantly beginning to embrace relations with Pakistan as well. From a trade initiative, many people in Pakistan fear an economic invasion, citing that if India is granted unrestricted access to importation rights, India will flood their markets with goods, ruining Pakistans indigenous industry (Bhatt). By imposing high tariffs on Indian imports, Pakistan is able to stave off Indias influence on its culture and maintain a tight grip on its Chinese relationship. These tariffs also allow for a lucrative underground smuggling opportunity, in which deliberately making direct commerce between India and Pakistan undesireable allows Pakistan to reduce its dependence on Indian goods. As a nation develops, so does its dependency on natural resources, such as the consumption of oil. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has estimated China will need almost 11 million barrels a day by 2025 to keep its cars running and factories humming (Cody). China, recognizing the need to secure a cost-efficient and effective method for the importation of oil, offers both India and Pakistan an opportunity for economic growth. India, a close-runner to China in oil consumption, (You) 5 would stand to benefit monumentally with the production of an oil pipeline designed to serve the need of both countries. India, as much as her Eastern neighbor, is reliant on efficient importation of crude oil. This pipeline, which would pass through Pakistan, guarantees the Pakistani influence for imposing costs for the utilization of its territory in the construction of this project. These pipeline "transit fees" are projected to earn Pakistan revenues in billions of dollars; these monies completely unavailable without Chinas industrial development. The United States, however, in a continuing effort to contain the expansion of Chinas influence, urges Pakistan to refuse it any naval/military ports on its coastlines. China, counter wise, in its search for secure energy and oil resources, works to propose access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistani installations (Yousef). Pakistan, therefore, is in a unique position to mold foreign policy that steers toward its own economic gains. Because of the stable India-China trade relationship, allowing oil pipelines and trade routes to be developed across its borders, Pakistan realizes its strategic importance to both growing nations in regards to becoming a medium for resources and trade. Recognizing its role in securing a stable internal economy via the India-China consumption of oil is likely the reason why Pakistan has become more accepting of maintaining relationships with India. It is unreasonable to assume that hostilities between these three nations will not be completely diminished through trade initiatives. With India-China relations, competition between them in regards to solidifying export markets is sure to develop. Decades of mistrust between India and Pakistan will indisputably play a factor in harboring stereotypical ideas during economic negotiations between them. It is apparent, though, that foresight into strengthening each nations economic security is (You) 6 moving to develop a region of Asia with growing significance in dictating foreign affairs. The dynamics of broadened trade agreements lies in the creation of a stable border system, especially surrounding the India-China relationship. The prospect of moving mutually-beneficial products between these regions has been in turmoil over the last decade. Moving further backward, border wars have plagued these two nations for over 25 years. A recent visit to China by the former Prime Minister of India lead to a breakthrough decision to broaden talks surrounding opening the Nathu La border trade link, a gateway to commerce between the two nations. It was proposed during this visit to raise the border negotiations to the level of Special Representatives to provide these sessions a "political perspective" so as to expedite border negotiations that have been moving slowly during the last 25 years (Singh and Gancheng, 23-28). By appointment of special representatives, each agent specializes in securing their own countrys interests. A formal, binding principal of discussion was drawn up as a political regulation of these border talks, focusing not on threats of potential force as a means to settle border arguments, but cooperative, mutually-beneficial methods to ensure satisfaction from both parties. This breakaway deviation from previous hostility towards relationship-building displays the formality of these trade route negotiations and how they are observed in all levels of government. Articles of conformity and peaceful coexistence are rapidly replacing years of aggression. Without the stable economic influence of China, it seems likely that tensions between these three Asian nations would be on the increase rather than stable; as they (You) 7 are becoming today. Serving as an influence to other nations for success in economic development aids emerging nations in altering preconceived notions of diplomatic relations. As the economic climate of Asias influence on bettering quality of life grows, so does consumer demand for the products they manufacture. Altering foreign policy to include raising per capita revenue seems to have become a priority in developing Asian nations, rather than holding onto an antiquated ideal of national self-superiority, which serves to isolate the populace from enhanced living by denying trade relationships. As the walls of mistrust and suspicion are broken down across Asia, more liberal foreign policies are sure to develop, as well as continued economic growth in the region. (You) 8 Works Cited Ali, M.M. . "The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs." October 2003: 34. Bhatt, Sheela. "The Indo-Pak Trade Equation." Business 19 June 2003. 11 Feb 2006 . Cody, Edward. "Unocal Bid Shows China Needs Oil For Growth." Washington Post Foreign Service 30 June 2005. 15 Feb 2006 Read More