Destined for War audiobook cover - Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?

Destined for War

Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?

Graham Allison

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Destined for War
The Thucydides Trap+
China's Stratospheric Rise+
Historical Case Studies+
Potential US-China Flashpoints+
Paths to Peace+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, what is the primary underlying cause of conflict between a rising power and an established power?
  • A. The inevitable competition for limited natural resources.
  • B. The fear that the rising power's growth inspires in the established power.
  • C. The ideological differences in their respective systems of government.
  • D. The failure of diplomatic channels and international treaties.
Question 2 of 7
How did former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew characterize China's trajectory as a global power?
  • A. He believed China would eventually integrate seamlessly into the existing American-led world order.
  • B. He warned that China's rise would cause a temporary disruption before returning to the status quo.
  • C. He stated that China is not just another big player, but the biggest player, requiring the world to find a 'new balance.'
  • D. He predicted that China's economic growth would plateau before it could truly challenge US supremacy.
Question 3 of 7
Which historical event does the text use to illustrate 'rising power syndrome,' where a state's ambition and sense of entitlement grow alongside its capabilities?
  • A. Spain and Portugal's territorial disputes in the fifteenth century.
  • B. Prussia's efforts to unify German states in the nineteenth century.
  • C. The Soviet Union's aggressive expansion during the Cold War.
  • D. Japan's rapid military and economic expansion at the turn of the twentieth century.
Question 4 of 7
According to the Harvard think tank analysis mentioned in the text, how frequently have historical instances of the 'Thucydides Trap' resulted in war?
  • A. In exactly half of the identified historical cases.
  • B. In 12 out of the 16 identified historical instances.
  • C. In every single instance where a rising power challenged an established one.
  • D. In only a small minority of cases, as diplomacy usually prevails.
Question 5 of 7
The text compares geopolitical analysts to park rangers during fire season. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential 'spark' that could ignite a US-China war?
  • A. An accidental collision between naval vessels in the South China Sea.
  • B. A cyber warfare escalation resulting from a bitter trade conflict.
  • C. A dispute over the exploration and mining of resources in Antarctica.
  • D. A scramble to secure nuclear weapons following the collapse of the North Korean government.
Question 6 of 7
How did Britain successfully avoid war with the United States when the US emerged as a rising power in the early twentieth century?
  • A. Britain acknowledged America's growing power and pivoted to diplomacy and formal alliances.
  • B. Britain launched a preemptive trade war that stunted American economic growth.
  • C. Britain relied on the threat of newly developed nuclear weapons as a deterrent.
  • D. Britain appealed to the Pope to mediate a territorial compromise.
Question 7 of 7
Which of the following is proposed as a potential strategic option for the US to peacefully manage its relationship with China?
  • A. Imposing a global embargo on Chinese manufactured goods until China adopts democratic reforms.
  • B. Emphasizing shared interests and uniting against third-party threats like climate change and global terrorism.
  • C. Permanently ceding all US naval presence in the Pacific to accommodate China's expansion.
  • D. Forming an exclusive military alliance with Russia to encircle and contain Chinese borders.

Destined for War — Full Chapter Overview

Destined for War Summary & Overview

Destined for War (2017) applies ancient military thinking to a very contemporary conflict: the power struggle between the established power of the US, and the rising power of China. It uncovers how this dynamic has led to conflict in past centuries, and spells out what the US and China must do in the future to avoid all-out war.

Who Should Listen to Destined for War?

  • News junkies who want a deeper understanding of the US’s relationship with China
  • Those interested in how ancient political theory can be applied to contemporary conflicts
  • Those new to world politics who are curious about the current power struggle between China and the US

About the Author: Graham Allison

Graham Allison is a renowned scholar, political scientist, and the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He serves as the Director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and leads Harvard University’s long-running Thucydides Trap Project. 

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