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Bravo China. Instead of overspending on military conquer the world thru trade and investment.
by chvid 9y ago
Bravo China. Instead of overspending on military conquer the world thru trade and investment.
- mythrwy 9y agoI also applaud that idea. But I do wonder if it's possible to protect/expand trade without military activity. Historically it seems military expansion is the tip of the spear for trade expansion.
- oblio 9y agoNixon expanded trade without the military. Other than that... except for the awful Iraq situation, I don't remember any kind of gunboat diplomacy post WW2. Edit: nevermind, Iran.
- greglindahl 9y agoThere are plenty of examples in the late 20th century where military activity wasn't a help: Taiwan and South Korea have succeeded despite their military challenges -- and spend basically nothing militarily protecting their trade.
- aaron-lebo 9y agoThey can only do that because someone else is subsidizing a large part of their defense (the US). Without that they would have been conquered by NK and China long ago. Ironically, it is the US overspending in military which is part of what is driving his economic push for China instead of trying to compete militarily.
- chvid 9y agoThe best example is probably the opium wars between China and Britain. Historically the superpower role has shifted hands thru wars. But not with the superpower in direct conflict with the ascending power. The British empire fell apart after 2nd world war in which Britain was a victor. However Britain was bankrupt and all capital that could move had fled to USA.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- leakybit 9y agoand that's what people also criticize China for; looking the other way just to make a buck.
- lumberjack 9y agoI'm not sure this is all that much better for the countries that end up with their critical infrastructure in Chinese hands.
- mschuster91 9y agoIf any country ever has problems with relationship to China going way south, they can go the Chavez route and nationalize it.
- obmelvin 9y agoIf others weren't providing some of the military security china wouldn't be able to do what it does
- prodmerc 9y agoUhm, yeah, well the Soviet Union also conquered quite a bit through investment. The member states and allies were willing participants, but we all know the threat of open or covert military and economic action was always implied and played a huge role.