There is merit to the argument that the current economic downturn in the West (the US and Europe particularly) is at the base of the aggressive foreign policy of Russia and China. When the world economy was prospering (prior to the 2007 financial crisis in the US and the debt crisis in Southern Europe, Ireland, and Iceland), it made sense for both, China specially, to be fully integrated in the world capitalist economic order. China became the manufacturer of the world and was its leading exporter ofnproducts like Barbie dolls, running shoes, and OEM electronics. However, with the Western economies in the doldrums since the late 2000s, debate arose in both countries. The internationalist circles could not make a case for continued integration and good international behavior. The nationalist circles make a compelling case to look inward to develop the internal economy while continuing to cultivate the gains of an earlier charm offensive (in the case of China) in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The nationalists believe that with the West in relative disarray due to crisis, it is the opportune time to revise the world order. So we have Putins Ukraine and Chinas South China Sea assertions.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 00:09:20 +0000
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