China - Emerging Hegemony: A Speculative Essay

In: The Journal of social, political and economic studies, Band 28, Heft 4, S. 487-496

Abstract

The author argues that the People's Republic of China, considering its geopolitical situation, its extensive control over the water resources of south & southeast Asia, & relatively high intelligence & educability of its population, will emerge as the dominant world power by the middle of the 2lst century. An important dimension of its international influence will derive from the fact that as a nation with a population estimated to approach possibly 1.8 billion, its highly educable & hardworking people will be able to out-produce the rest of the world at salaries unacceptable to the West. The author suggests that its power will create a new Asian hegemonic association of states, possibly including even Korea & Japan. Only internal instability can prevent it from attaining world dominance by the late 21st century. Adapted from the source document.