Intense Debate Over Competitive Approaches: The Reasoning and Advantage of Competing Tactics

In the realm of international affairs, the United States finds itself at a competitive disadvantage when projecting power within 100 miles of the Chinese coast, largely due to distance and reliance on fixed, forward bases. This disadvantage is a key issue that requires careful consideration, especially in the context of the ongoing great power competition with China.

Historically, countries engaging in great power competition while divided at home have a poor record. France's experience between the world wars serves as a stark reminder of this reality. As such, it is crucial for the United States to adopt a proactive, self-justified foreign policy approach to competition with China, rather than a reactive one.

Contemporary discussions on great power competition often lack proactive, self-justified foreign policy options, instead focusing on mirroring the actions of competitors like China. This article, part of the Competition in Cyberspace Project (C2P), a joint initiative by the Army Cyber Institute and the National War College's website, aims to address this gap.

The author of the article, "Compete and Win: Envisioning a Competitive Strategy for the Twenty-First Century," is Christian Trotti, a professor at the National War College who has taught there since 2010. The article suggests that there are several problematic dynamics inherent in the current US approach toward competition with China, and that competitive strategy can be applied to identify traps and opportunities in great power competition.

The logic of competitive strategy, as opposed to traditional strategic approaches, sees the nature of competition as malleable and capable of being shaped by actors. A famous application of this logic is the Reagan-era arms buildup and its effect on the Soviet Union. However, it's important to note that the mechanisms of shaping competition are complicated and not fully malleable, with geography, military capabilities, and relationships of economic dependence and interdependence being significant factors.

One area where the United States can exert influence is in pushing China on issues like COVID-19 and censorship, given the Chinese government's pathological defensiveness, self-consciousness, and addiction to secrecy. The Belt and Road Initiative, for instance, could be a trap for the United States, as China has more cash on hand, a smaller public debt problem, and control over the private sector.

However, the biggest vulnerability and limitation on American power is not its adversaries, but its own domestic politics. American decision makers have trouble imagining military competitions that cannot be won by the United States, which can be exploited by China. Moreover, domestic challenges are preventing the United States from engaging with the international community and taking on international challenges.

To overcome these challenges, the United States must conduct an accurate assessment of itself and defuse domestic tensions before looking for ways to enter into great power competition with its adversaries. Dr. Bernard I. Finel, a professor at national security strategy at the National War College, emphasizes this point, stating that the country is not equipped for strategic competition due to social divisions and inability to make reliable international commitments.

In conclusion, the article underscores the need for a proactive, self-justified foreign policy approach in the face of great power competition. It suggests that competitive strategy can help identify traps and opportunities in this competition, but also warns of the complexities involved in shaping competition and the importance of addressing domestic challenges before engaging in international competition. This article is part of the National War College's series "Compete and Win: Envisioning a Competitive Strategy for the Twenty-First Century."

Intense Debate Over Competitive Approaches: The Reasoning and Advantage of Competing Tactics