Thucydides Theory of International Relations: US-China Relationship

Thucydides was an ancient Greek historian and general who lived in the 5th century BC. He is
best known for his account of the Peloponnesian War, a conflict between Athens and Sparta and
their respective allies that lasted from 431 to 404 BC. Thucydides, himself was the participant of
the war and later he wrote a book “The History of the Peloponnesian War” from where the term
Thucydides Trap came, then the term is popularized by American political scientist Graham T
Allison to describe the idea that when a rising power threatens the existing dominant power, it
can lead to conflict and war. In the case of the Peloponnesian War, it may be a result of a
complex web of political, economic, and cultural factors. These include: Athens and Sparta had
different political systems and ideologies, with Athens being a democracy and Sparta being an
oligarchy. These differences created tensions and led to conflict. Both Athens and Sparta were
major naval and land powers, and they competed for resources and trade. This competition
contributed to the outbreak of war. Athens was a center of culture and philosophy, while Sparta
was known for its military tradition. These differences created a clash of values and beliefs that
also contributed to the war.Seeing the expansion of Sparta, it instilled a threat to Athens' own
interests. This fear and insecurity led Athens to have a power struggle and they took aggressive
actions, such as launching a military expedition against Sicily, which ultimately led to the
escalation of the conflict and the eventual defeat of Athens. The Peloponnesian War is the perfect
example for the Thucydides Trap. It suggests that when a powerful established power reacts
strongly to a rising power, it can make the situation more tense and increase the chances of a war.

Some of the examples of Thucydides Trap include: British Empire was the established power
and Germany was the rising power.The power shift and tensions between the established power
of the British Empire and the rising power of Germany played a significant role in the outbreak
of the First World War. Furthermore,we can take the example of the Cold War. The rivalry
between the established power of the United States and the rising power of the Soviet Union
during the Cold War era led to heightened tensions and a series of wars, such as the Korean War
and the Vietnam War. In recent years, we can analyze the context of the Thucydides Trap with
the relationship between the established power of the United States and the rising power of
China. China has been rising as a global economic and military power which has led it to
challenge the United States’ global dominance. That's why, there are high chances that the US
and China might be caught in a Thucydides Trap, with the potential for conflict between them as
China's power and influence continue to grow, there are concerns in the US that China poses a
threat to American interests, particularly in terms of economic competition and geopolitical
influence. In the span of just a few decades, China has achieved remarkable economic growth
and military expansion have made it a major player in global politics. China has transformed
itself from a poor, developing country into a major economic powerhouse, with a GDP that has
surpassed that of the United States in terms of purchasing power parity making it the world's
largest manufacturer, exporter, and trading nation. China’s military capabilities have also grown
significantly with better weapons, a bigger navy, and a stronger defense budget. China's growing
military power has boosted its confidence to play a more significant role on the world stage and
challenge the US-led international order. Seeing China's growing power, the US has started to
increase its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region through (Indo-Pacific Strategy),
strengthening alliances with regional partners, and implementing economic policies aimed at
countering China’s economic influence. However, these efforts to deal with China have not been
fully successful, and the tension between the two countries is still high.

Several factors have contributed to the growing tensions between the United States and
China.The US and China depend a lot on each other economically. This interdependence has
created both opportunities and challenges for the bilateral relationship. This has both helped and
caused problems.Nationalism is important in the relationship between the US and China. Both
countries want to show that they are strong and protect their own ideas. China holds historical
grievances stemming from a century of humiliation at the hands of Western powers and Japan.
As a result, China wants to be a strong power again and to make sure its important interests are
respected. The US and China each have a network of alliances and partnerships that can both
help and hinder their efforts to manage their relationship. The US uses its allies in the
Asia-Pacific region to show its power and stop China from getting stronger. On the other hand,
China wants to build its own network of partnerships and alliances to counterbalance US power
and advance its interests. Domestic politics also play a role in shaping the US-China relationship.
Both countries’ political systems and leadership priorities can influence their approach to
international relations and the way they interact with one another. As the United States’
democratic system focuses on human rights whereas China's government is different and does
not care as much about people's rights and gives more emphasis on economic development and
territorial integrity can conflict with US priorities. In order to avoid these ruling powers falling
into Thucydides trap it is crucial for both the United States and China to actively work towards
managing their relationship to avoid conflict. Managing the US-China relationship is fostering a
deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives, interests, and priorities. This requires
ongoing dialogue and communication between the two countries as well as a concerted effort to
understand and appreciate each other’s historical experiences and cultural differences.

Another important thing to help avoid Thucydides' Trap is finding ways for the US and China to
work together on global problems This includes areas such as climate change, nonproliferation,
and counterterrorism, which can help build trust and reduce the likelihood of conflict. Even
though the US and China will always be competing with each other, it is important to keep this
competition under control so it does not turn into a fight. This requires setting clear boundaries,
establishing mechanisms for resolving disputes, and promoting transparency in military activities
and strategic intentions. US-China requires diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation, as well as a
commitment to address underlying tensions and differences. Fostering a deeper understanding of
each other's perspectives, interests, and priorities, and finding areas of common interest where
the two countries can cooperate on global challenges, can help build trust and reduce the
likelihood of conflict. Engaging in dialogue and seeking common ground on issues of mutual
concern can also help promote greater cooperation in areas of shared interest. The relationship
between the US and China is challenging, with historical examples of rising and ruling powers
clashing leading some to compare it to Thucydides' Trap. However, it is crucial to remember that
conflict is not inevitable. Through sustained effort, mutual understanding, and cooperation on
global issues, the US and China can work together to manage their relationship and avoid the
devastating consequences of falling into Thucydides' Trap. It is essential to maintain open
channels of communication, build trust, and find common ground to ensure a peaceful and stable
future for both nations and the world.