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As we see the opening salvos of a trade war indicative of a broader clash of civilizations and heightened fears of a recession in the America and diminished GDP growth in China, citizens and allies of both sides will tend to overlook the shortcomings of their own side and cast blame while imbuing the worst motivations and intentions on the other side.
This conflict and methods of reasoning will be especially pernicious since it will not just be limited to specific trade issues or policy disputes, but the core interpretation of the motives of the other side, both within their own borders with respect to their citizens and in the international arena at the nation-state level.
I will analyze the nature of these criticisms with a belief that criticism of government is good so long as they are fair.
The Thucydides Trap
First, let’s consider why it’s important to have fair and equal criticism by considering the dilemma that America and China may be stuck in.
A concept that’ll become more prominent in time is “The Thucydides Trap”, an idea first formulated by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides that stated how the rise of one great power will…
