On the international negotiating table, two nations dominate the conversation, the United States of America and the People's Republic of China. These two countries are vastly different, and their animosity makes them hate being compared to one another. They have vastly different ages, different histories, opposing political systems and conflicting cultural values. And yet, they have one thing in common-- their goal of achieving and maintaining global dominance.
These two global superpowers have had a fascinating and complex rise to the top of the world stage. A great many nations have competed to become the top dogs, but the United States and China had just the right combination of geography, political systems, economic policies, military strength, and cultural influence to claim the crown for themselves. Understanding the historical and contemporary context of these two nations is essential to grasp the impact they have had on the world stage and to predict the trajectory of their future influence. In particular, it is essential to acknowledge the relationship between geography and politics, and the role that this relationship played in the rise of the United States and China as modern global superpowers.
To begin discussing the rise of the United States as a global superpower, one must understand the geographical advantages unique to the nation. The United States controls a vast area of land, abundant natural resources, and an ideal location for both land and maritime military strategy. Throughout its short history, the United States has taken advantage of these ideal conditions to great effect, allowing it to quickly become one of the most powerful nations in the world.
When looking at the United States on a map, the first thing an observer will notice is that it is a very big nation. In fact, it is the fourth largest nation in the world, taking up an area of 3.8 million square miles stretching for a third of a continent (Worldometers, 2023). With its enormous size, the United States has access to a vast array of natural resources, including coal, timber, oil, natural gas, and minerals. The abundance of resources fueled the United States' rapid economic growth and allowed it to become one of the world's largest economies.
However, one might note that there are other countries that are physically bigger than the United States. Besides simply being big, the United States also has an advantage based on its specific location in the Northern hemisphere. Russia and Canada are the two largest nations in the world by land mass (Worldometers, 2023), so if size were everything, they would be the global superpowers. However, Russia and Canada are both much closer to the North Pole than the United States is. This makes these two countries very cold and dry. The harsh weather conditions limit both the natural resources within Russia and Canada, and the ability of their people to obtain and use those resources. The United States, with its more temperate weather thanks to its location closer to the Equator, does not have this problem.
The location of the United States did more than just give it good weather. The land controlled by the United States stretches across a third of North America. US land touches the east and west coasts of the continent, giving it maritime access to nations around the world. This access allows it to develop strong relationships with most other countries regardless of location, and provides an easy way for the United States to defend itself from any attack by sea. The land borders that the United States share with Canada and Mexico-- two powerful nations in their own right-- give it a unique position of influence in North America.
Geographically, the key to the United States' rise on the global stage was its decision to make the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled its land mass and gave it access to the Western half of the continent, which it would then begin to take over. The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in which the United States bought 828,000 square miles of land from France for $15 million (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023). Acquiring this vast amount of territory gave the United States access to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, which greatly expanded the nation's ability to engage in trade and commerce both domestically and internationally.
The Louisiana Purchase also marked massive gains in the United States' natural resources. The land that was bought from France resides within 15 modern states, and gave the United States control of fertile land for farming, logging, and mining (National Geographic Society, 2022). The acquisition also opened up the Western half of the continent, which would have otherwise been inaccessible to the United States without military conquest. The westward expansion and economic growth, both of which shaped the United States as it is today, would not have been possible without the Louisiana Purchase.
In addition to the economic and military benefits of the Louisiana Purchase, the land acquisition also had major political implications for the United States. The Louisiana Purchase helped to solidify the country’s position as a dominant power in North America, and contributed to its growing sense of national identity. The acquisition also raised questions about the role of the federal government in territorial expansion and the balance of power between the states and the federal government.
In short, geography played a major role in the rise of the United States as a global superpower. The country's large size, strategic location, and abundance of natural resources provided it with numerous advantages that contributed to its economic, political, and military success. The Louisiana Purchase is a prime example of how the United States used its geographic advantages to their highest potential in politics and international relations, with significant economic, military, and political implications. Had the United States not been blessed with its unique set of geographical traits, or had it failed to take advantage of those traits to the fullest, the nation’s position on the world stage would likely be vastly different than it is today.
China has its own set of geographic advantages that aided it in its rise as a global superpower. Just like the United States, China has a giant area of land, valuable natural resources, and a location that is ideal for projecting its influence on the world stage. There is a reason China is one of the oldest living civilizations in the world, and has remained a dominant force for almost its entire history. It should come as no surprise that both major world superpowers are very big. With a land area of 9.7 million square kilometers, China ranks just above the United States as the third largest country in the world (Worldometers, 2023). China's giant size gives it access to natural resources like coal, iron, rare minerals, and a massive amount of fertile farmland. However, the most valuable resource China's geography grants it is not physical. The crown jewel of China's geography is the way its size and location combine to grant the nation flexibility and independence. With its vast array of natural resources, China can be self-sufficient in many areas, reducing its dependence on other countries for critical resources. It can also choose to take advantage of its giant borders, connecting China to 14 other countries by land and a coastline along the East China Sea, Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean (World Bank, 2023). With all of these connections, China became the heart of trade and diplomacy in East Asia, establishing vast trade routes and a complex web of international connections.
In the modern day, China has been taking utmost advantage of its geography to maintain its status as a major player in international politics. A very recent example of this is the Belt and Road Initiative, which was announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping (CIA, 2023). The initiative aims to build a vast network of infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, ports, and pipelines, to connect China with Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In the modern world, connectivity and infrastructure development are key drivers of economic growth and regional stability, and China plans to use the Belt and Road Initiative to gain as much connectivity as it can (CIA, 2023). This has several layers of significance. Beyond merely showing off China’s ability and willingness to invest in globalization, the Belt and Road Initiative sent a message to neighboring countries that China was willing to invest in their infrastructure and development, building goodwill and strengthening diplomatic ties. These ties helped to establish China as a global leader in infrastructure development and investment, a position that it has maintained to this day.
Just like the United States, the geographic advantages of China have played a significant role in its rise as a global superpower. The country's vast land area, abundant natural resources, and strategic location have allowed it to project its influence on the world stage. The Belt and Road Initiative is a clear example of how China has used its geography to its advantage in politics and international relations. China used the initiative to display its wealth and might as a major player in international politics, send a message of goodwill to neighboring countries, and establish itself as a global leader in infrastructure development and investment. With its dominance freshly re-established, China has continued to leverage its geography to its advantage in international relations, building economic and trade relationships, protecting its interests, and investing in technology and innovation.
While the importance of a nation's geographical advantages cannot be overstated, they do not make global superpowers on their own. To create a superpower, a nation must be abundant with geographical advantages and that nation's leaders must build a strong political and economic system atop those foundations. Interestingly, the United States and China manage this in completely different ways, both of which still manage to dominate the world stage. The United States' political system is a federal democratic republic, with power divided between the federal government and individual states. With a stable democracy and a commitment to individual freedoms and human rights, The United States encourages its citizens to be productive for their own sakes, strengthening the nation technologically, economically, and diplomatically.
The United States' political system is based on a system of checks and balances, with three branches of government: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch (NMSU, 2023). In the Federal government, the executive branch is headed by the president, who is responsible for enforcing laws and managing foreign relations. The legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which are responsible for writing and passing laws. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, which are responsible for interpreting laws (NMSU, 2023). State and municipal governments have their own executive, legislative, and judicial branches that work the same way, with finer control over their segments of territory. The political system of the United States places a deliberate emphasis on the balance of power, promoting compromise and consideration of as many people as possible by ensuring that no one person or branch of government has too much power.
Maintaining the balance of power has been the United States’ goal on the world stage as well. The United States’ commitment to human rights and democracy has informed its foreign policy, as the nation works to spread those values throughout its sphere of influence. The United States has historically been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights worldwide, supporting democratic movements and opposing authoritarian regimes around the world. This commitment to democracy and human rights has won the United States strong alliances with other democratic countries and has given the United States a position of moral authority in international relations.
The United States first established itself as a global superpower during World War II. The United States began the war as a neutral country, but once it joined the war, the Allied powers were able to turn their gridlocked stalemate into a decisive victory over the Axis powers. Once the dust of World War II settled, the whole world watched the United States, waiting to see how it would use its newfound political dominance on the world stage. The superpower’s opportunity to shine came in the form of the Cold War. Starting in the late 1940s, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a global struggle for influence and power. The United States' political system played a critical role in this conflict, with the country promoting democracy and capitalism as an alternative to Soviet-style communism (Engel, 2009). During the Cold War, the United States won over the world by portraying life under democracy as better for the strength of the nation and producing a healthier, happier citizenry, compared to life under communist regimes where citizens were poorer and life expectancy was much shorter.
Additionally, the United States’ military might, established during the then-recent World War II, was a critical tool in the United States’ arsenal. The United States did not want to turn the Cold War hot, as it would be a waste of valuable resources and would needlessly endanger human life. If the Soviet Union believed that the United States could be easily pushed around due to its desire to remain non-violent, the nuclear destruction that subsequently ensued would have been catastrophic. The United States used its reputation as a fearsome military power to intimidate the second world into avoiding a violent conflict, while its reputation as a moral authority convinced the Soviet Union to engage in negotiations that ultimately led to the end of the Cold War (Engel, 2009). The United States’ global image, built by its political system, was a key component in the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union as a rival superpower. The United States’ reputation of commitment to democracy and human rights inspired democratic movements within the Soviet Union that culminated in the collapse of the communist regime.
The United States’ political system is a major piece of the puzzle that is the country’s rise as a superpower. The United States’ commitment to democracy, human rights, and individual freedoms has helped to build strong alliances with other democratic countries and has given the United States a moral authority in international relations. The Cold War perfectly exemplifies how the United States’ political system influenced its international relations, with the country promoting democracy and capitalism as an alternative to the Soviet-style communism that formed its rival superpower at the time. During the Cold War, the United States utilized the strengths provided by its political system to build alliances with other countries that shared its values, ultimately coming out on top in the struggle for global supremacy against a much older, larger nation. Once the Cold War was over, The United States used its political system to build alliances with other countries that shared its values, such as NATO, and to support democratic movements around the world, such as the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. To this day, the United States’ political values and foreign policy maintain its status as a dominant force on the global stage in peacetime and in wartime.
China has also built a strong political system atop the foundation of its geography, but in a vastly different way from the United States. Unlike the federal republic the United States has, designed to spread out power across a large group of people, China’s political system consists of a single-party socialist state with power deliberately concentrated in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, also known as the CCP (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023). The CCP is the face of the Chinese government, and it forms the building blocks of China’s rise as a superpower on the modern global stage.
The CCP's political system is based on a hierarchy of party organizations, with the highest level being the Central Committee. The Central Committee is responsible for setting policy and selecting the members of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body in China. The General Secretary of the CCP is the highest-ranking official in the country and is responsible for implementing party policy and leading the country (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023). If the United States president had direct command over large parts of Congress and the Supreme Court as well as its typical areas of power in the executive branch, it would be a close approximation of the General Secretary’s power over China’s CCP.
In China’s government, incredible power is pooled into the hands of as few people as possible, and this directly influences the cultural values that China uses in domestic and international politics. For example, the CCP has placed a strong emphasis on maintaining stability and social order in China, with developments like the social credit score and the continuously shifting limits on child births within Chinese families (Humans Rights Watch, 2022). China’s reputation for stability and social order attracts foreign investment and builds confidence in the country's economic development, which is especially useful for a socialist state like China (World Bank, 2023). The country has also used its political system to its advantage in building relationships with other countries, particularly in the developing world. China expands its influence diplomatically by offering economic aid and support to poor nations that could not be provided as quickly or as readily by countries that need to consult their vast bureaucracy before making a move.
However, one cannot adequately discuss China’s state as a political superpower under the CCP, without discussing the rise of the CCP itself. The CCP's rise to power in 1949 was a turning point in China's history, and its policies and leadership have helped to shape the country's development ever since. The CCP had been slowly rising to power since the 1920s, as the Chinese people grew impatient with the declining Qing Dynasty (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023). In the eyes of Chinese communists, the country's escalating social disorder, economic recessions, and political strife could be traced back to Western imperialism's growing influence on East Asia, and the Qing Dynasty's failure to successfully defend China against these cultural invaders. The CCP claimed to have the solution to all these problems, and used this claim to gain popular support throughout the early 20th century.
In 1949, Once the CCP acquired the political support and manpower it needed, the party began the Chinese Communist Revolution, overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the single-party socialist state that rules over China to this day. To secure its power, the CCP then began a Cultural Revolution, convincing its citizenry to purge pre-communist elements of Chinese culture that threatened the CCP's values (World Bank, 2023). The CCP campaigned to destroy China's old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits, replacing them with ideas, culture, customs, and habits that suited the needs of the CCP.
In the modern day, the CCP's political system has been facing criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. The party's emphasis on maintaining control has led to restrictions on free speech and political dissent, and its human rights record has been the subject of international scrutiny. In the name of maintaining social order, the CCP has frequently censored uncomfortable parts of its history, oppressed religious and other minorities, forced population control with coercive family planning laws, and more (Humans Rights Watch, 2022). These criticisms usually trace back to the lack of political diversity in China’s political system, with the CCP holding a monopoly on power and the country's opposition parties operating under tight restrictions. China’s political system may be stable, and has been used to great effect to establish it as a modern superpower, but that stability comes at a cost to the quality of its citizenry’s lives.
The rise of the United States and China as global superpowers has been shaped by a complex interplay of geography and politics. The United States' rise to superpower status was facilitated by its position on a vast continent with abundant natural resources, which allowed for rapid economic growth and expansion. This, coupled with its establishment as a military and moral authority on the world stage in WWII, enabled the United States to project its power globally, becoming a dominant force in international affairs. China has similar geographic advantages to the United States, but its rise as a superpower has also been facilitated by its massive population, its position as a hub of global manufacturing, and its ability to mobilize large amounts of capital for infrastructure development. Despite their different geographies and political systems, both the United States and China have managed to become global superpowers, shaping the course of international affairs and influencing the lives of people around the world. However, the relationship between geography and politics is not static, and the rise of new powers such as India, Brazil, and Russia may shift the balance of power in the coming years. Furthermore, climate change, resource scarcity, and other environmental challenges may also alter the geopolitical landscape, requiring new strategies and policies to address these issues. Nevertheless, the relationship between geography and politics will remain a critical factor in shaping the global distribution of power, and understanding this relationship will be essential for policymakers and scholars alike. As we look to the future, it is important to recognize the complex and evolving nature of geopolitics, and to develop new frameworks and approaches to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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