POLS305 International Security and Conflict: Assessment 1 – Analytical Essay

Write a 1,200- to 1,500-word analytical essay evaluating contemporary United States foreign policy options regarding the geopolitical rise of China and international security dynamics.

Assessment context

The shifting dynamic between the United States and China dictates global economic and military security architectures. Students must evaluate historical precedents, ranging from the Century of Humiliation to subsequent ideological shifts under leaders from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping, to frame current diplomatic tensions accurately. The task requires assessing distinct foreign policy trajectories, specifically accommodation, containment, or direct confrontation. Scholars and policymakers continuously debate the utility of traditional international relations theories in predicting the outcome of these bilateral interactions.

Learning outcomes

• Analyze historical factors shaping modern Chinese domestic and foreign policy decisions.
• Evaluate competing international relations theories applicable to current global power distributions.
• Synthesize peer-reviewed academic literature to formulate a coherent policy assessment.

Task instructions

1. Structure the essay with a defined introduction, analytical body paragraphs, and a logically derived conclusion.
2. Examine the historical context of Chinese political evolution and its direct influence on current international posturing.
3. Assess the strategic viability of at least two United States foreign policy responses to Chinese economic and military expansion.
4. Format the entire document using APA 7th Edition guidelines, including title page, typography, and spacing.
5. Incorporate a minimum of five peer-reviewed academic sources published between 2018 and 2026.

Marking criteria

• Historical and Contextual Analysis (25%): Accuracy and depth in outlining the political evolution of the Chinese state and its grievances.
• Policy Evaluation (35%): Critical assessment of United States strategic options, avoiding simplistic conclusions.
• Evidence and Integration (20%): Application of current peer-reviewed literature to substantiate theoretical claims.
• Structure and Formatting (20%): Adherence to word count limits, logical argument flow, and flawless execution of APA 7th Edition citation mechanics.

Example student response

Current diplomatic strategies toward Beijing require a calculated departure from traditional containment models utilized during the twentieth century. Scholars argue that deep economic interdependence complicates any straightforward application of standard deterrence doctrines. Washington faces a unique challenge in balancing democratic alliances with the pragmatic realities of global supply chains. One specific analysis detailing The geopolitical economy of state-led capitalism indicates that systemic rivalry is driven heavily by domestic economic imperatives rather than purely ideological expansionism. Policymakers must therefore construct frameworks that manage direct competition without triggering rapid military escalation. Careful diplomatic engagement remains the most viable path to prevent catastrophic instability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Expanding on the economic dimensions of the rivalry reveals significant vulnerabilities in critical technology sectors. The semiconductor industry serves as a primary battleground for structural dominance between the two competing nations. Allison’s concept of the Thucydides Trap, frequently cited in international relations discourse, provides a structural lens for evaluating the probability of kinetic conflict over these resources. Strategic ambiguity regarding territorial disputes further complicates bilateral negotiations and regional security arrangements.

References

• Christensen, T. J. (2020). No new cold war: Why US-China strategic competition will not be like the Soviet-American conflict. Foreign Affairs, 99(2), 20-28.
• Economy, E. C. (2022). The world according to China. Polity Press.
• Mearsheimer, J. J. (2021). The inevitable rivalry: America, China, and the tragedy of great-power politics. Foreign Affairs, 100(6), 48-58.
• Zhao, S. (2023). The dragon roars back: Transformational leaders and dynamics of Chinese foreign policy. Stanford University Press.

POLS305 International Security and Conflict: Assessment 2 – Policy Brief Presentation

Prepare a 10-minute recorded presentation and a 2-page executive summary outlining a specific diplomatic intervention for the South China Sea territorial disputes. Students will build upon the theoretical frameworks established in Assessment 1 to construct an actionable, pragmatic policy recommendation for the United States Department of State. The submission requires an initial video upload to the learning management system forum, followed by mandatory critical replies to two peers’ proposed interventions within 48 hours.