In the last couple of days one can not help but notice the large number of U.S citizens who seem to be genuinely worried and in some cases seemingly scared of China. What is this fear? Is it a fear of China?
Or is it a fear of not knowing where Americas place will be in the comeing years ahead?

It's simply a fear of how powerful China is getting and how cut-throat they are. Mostly, though, it's the suspicion that China could come over here and start slaughtering people, and people in other countries would laugh. All the anti-Americanism I see in these threads, I can hardly help but have them.

Do you not think China is a rather strange country ? admittedly so are UK and USA but China is a country I would not visit , theyre citizens are opressed incredibly by the authorities . Unfortunately our countries will eventually all be like this , also remember a helll of a lot of goods in USA are imported from China which has an adverse effect on the US economy . Just my humble thoughts .
P E A C E

The answer is simple... The US always needs an "enemy" or a boogie man to tell it's people to fear. It's simple as that... Want to do anything you want and not have anyone question it? Make people scared, then impose the solution...

It worked for Korea, Vietnam, the cold war, 1st gulf war, Afghanistan, Iraq, and is working wonders for the great "terrorist threat" lie...

That's why people fear China... They are told to, and for no reason.

Magnum

Originally posted by Magnum007
The answer is simple... The US always needs an "enemy" or a boogie man to tell it's people to fear. It's simple as that... Want to do anything you want and not have anyone question it? Make people scared, then impose the solution...

It worked for Korea, Vietnam, the cold war, 1st gulf war, Afghanistan, Iraq, and is working wonders for the great "terrorist threat" lie...

That's why people fear China... They are told to, and for no reason.

Magnum

While I do agree that you are mostly correct, I do believe there is a difference when it comes to China. There really is a threat from them, albeit a threat that we made ourselves through our own lack of honest leadership.

I'm sure there is a certain level of fear among those who are less than knowledgeable of world history. IMHO the world is just returning to a "Multi-Polar" world. I feel too many here at ATS are either too young to remember or simply are unaware [ignorant] of the historical reality of how potentially dangerous a multi-polar world really can be.

It doesn't mean the US, Russia and or China will kick off WW-III by fighting each other but it could possibly be set off by smaller nuclear armed nations between themselves. The US, Russia and China do have a good track record of preventing the Big one from kicking off.

It's an unknown....

People fear the unknown. They always have. Many Americans have had the delusion of being in charge of their lives, but the reality is that most of us are and have been just along for the ride anyways. Also I might add it's not just "The American" there are a very large percentage of non Americans globally who are raising concerns. Like it or not the US has been able to create a certain level of Global homogeneity. The EU, Japan and our other global "Allies" Know the American and how we've had our political dirty laundry exposed for not just Americans but everybody abroad in their countries to admire, scoff or hate.

Which has had an impact on our policies, Good, Bad or Indifferently...


However China's internal politics are and have been largely closed off to outside opinion and influence and they absolutely hate being scoffed and critiqued.

Does this mean the New Landlord will be able to influence the globe in a similar manner? It will certainly be interesting to watch how this will unfold. I'm not fearful. I understand the historical context and examples we have seen in recent history. The Soviet Union collapsed yet Russia still stands. Why? Because they had a large Nuclear stockpile. For those who are either chomping at the bit waiting for the demise of the US or for those who have not educated themselves and fear an American Implosion. Tough luck. It aint going to happen....


Can US companies compete, thrive and grow being #2?

Yes.

All I have to do is look to the last century. Japan and Germany were totally and completely smashed beyond belief. Their infrastructure and financial institutions were in tatters and were in a much much worse off position than anything the US is or will be in.

Yet they came back in only a matter of decades to become economic powerhouses.


My $ .02

I really couldn't tell you. I was pondering the question in general just today "what are Americans afraid of?" - but as I said, in general, not specifically related to China. Matter of fact, China never even came to mind in my musing. It's only now that I see a "Fear of China" being asserted.

Americans are afraid of China? I'm with you, and have to ask myself WHY? I've seen Martin Yan on PBS, and so know for fact and without any doubt that China is full of fluffy bunnies in colorful ethnic costumes - who can COOK!

Nothing I can see THERE to be skeert of!

while some people may be afraid of China, for reasons that may or may not be substantiated, I think the fear among others is not so much of China but of the federal government's love of China.