Great power conflict may be on the horizon unless more desperate attemps are made to reconcile the challenges Washington and Beijing face in perceptions of the other. A comprehensive appraoch to understanding the other, through high level dialogue, is a necessary start. 

The 21st-century geopolitical landscape is increasingly shaped by the intensifying competition between the United States and China. This rivalry transcends economic and military dominance, delving into a deeper conflict of ideologies, values, and ethical frameworks. At its core, US-China competition represents a clash between individualism and collectivism, democracy and communism, and contrasting approaches to human development and governance. The challenges are not merely geopolitical but profoundly philosophical, raising critical questions about the future global order and potential for conflict. 

The United States and China embody two distinct cultural and philosophical traditions. The US, rooted in Western liberalism, emphasises individualism—the belief that personal freedom and autonomy are paramount. This individualistic ethos permeates its political and economic systems, where democracy and capitalism are seen as the best means to maximise individual potential and happiness. 

In contrast, China, with its Confucian heritage and Marxist-Leninist ideology, prioritises collectivism. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains that the collective good outweighs individual desires. This approach is evident in China’s governance model, where the state plays a central role in economic development and social harmony. 

This ideological tension has real-world implications. The US champions a global order grounded in liberal democratic values, where individual rights and freedoms are sacrosanct. Conversely, China advocates for a multipolar world where different political systems can coexist, and state sovereignty is respected above all. The ideological competition between democracy and communism has defined global politics since the 20th century. The Cold War epitomised this clash, but the US-China rivalry represents a new chapter in this ongoing struggle. 

US democracy is founded on the principle that political power derives from the consent of the governed, valuing transparency, accountability, and individual rights. In contrast, China’s one-party system, grounded in Marxist-Leninist principles, views the state as the ultimate authority, with the CCP as the people’s vanguard. This system prioritises stability, order, and the collective good. 

The ethical dilemma here is profound. Democracy promotes a moral framework where individual rights are inviolable, even if it leads to inefficiencies or social unrest. In contrast, China’s communism adopts a utilitarian approach, where individual rights can be sacrificed for the greater good. Reconciling these two ethical frameworks lies at the heart of the US-China competition. 

At this stage of human development, reconciling these conflicting ideologies seems elusive. The US and China are not merely two nations with different systems; they represent fundamentally different ways of understanding the world and humanity’s place within it. This ideological divide makes finding common ground challenging, as each side views the other’s values as inherently threatening. 

Nationalism exacerbates this ideological inflexibility. In the US, there is a resurgent belief in American exceptionalism—the idea that the US has a unique role in promoting democracy and freedom worldwide. In China, there is a strong sense of historical destiny, with the CCP portraying itself as the rightful leader of a rejuvenated Chinese civilization. Both narratives are exclusionary, leaving little room for compromise. 

Given these challenges, an integrated approach to understanding and managing US-China competition is essential. This approach would require acknowledging the legitimacy of each side’s concerns and values, rather than viewing the competition as a zero-sum game. Recognising that both individualism and collectivism, as well as democracy and communism, have strengths and weaknesses could lead to more constructive engagement. 

Such an approach would also involve greater dialogue and cooperation on global challenges that transcend ideological boundaries, such as climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality. By focusing on shared interests, the US and China could build a more stable and cooperative global order, even while maintaining their ideological differences. 

However, resolving great power competition is fraught with paradoxes. Economic interdependence, for instance, has created a complex web of mutual dependencies, where both sides benefit from cooperation but also fear each other’s growing power. This interdependence makes conflict both more likely and more dangerous, as any disruption could have catastrophic global consequences. 

Technological innovation presents another paradox. While advances in technology could address global challenges and improve human welfare, they also fuel competition in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space exploration. The race for technological supremacy is driven by the belief that controlling advanced technologies will shape the future global order. 

Despite efforts to manage US-China competition peacefully, there is growing concern that forces and momentum may already be making conflict difficult to prevent. The Thucydides Trap—a concept suggesting that rising powers inevitably clash with established ones—looms large over the relationship. Historical examples, such as the lead-up to World War I, caution against miscalculations and entangled alliances leading to unintended conflicts. 

World War I, despite its devastating impact, facilitated profound changes that led to the end of empires, redrawn borders, and the birth of new ideologies and institutions. While the human cost was immense, the conflict also set the stage for the development of the modern international system, including the League of Nations and later the United Nations.  

There is an argument to be made that a conflict between the US and China may be necessary to reset the global system and refocus humanity’s efforts (see works by John Mearsheimer and Graham Allison). Such a conflict, while devastating, could potentially lead to a new global order better reflecting 21st-century realities. However, this is a dangerous and deeply troubling proposition, and the stakes are much higher today, given the existence of nuclear weapons and the interconnectedness of the global economy.

US-China competition is not just a geopolitical rivalry but a profound clash of ideologies, ideas, and ethical frameworks. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is crucial to take an integrated approach that acknowledges each side’s concerns and values while addressing shared global challenges. The paradoxes and challenges in resolving great power competition are significant, and the momentum toward conflict is a real concern. Yet, history shows that conflict, while tragic, can also lead to renewal and order. Whether this will be the case with the US-China competition remains to be seen, but the choices we make today will shape the future global order for generations to come. The stakes are high, and the need for thoughtful, ethical, and inclusive decision-making has never been greater. 

The views in this article represent the author’s only and not any organisation with which he is attached.

Joseph Zeller is a Senior Manager at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and a serving naval officer with extensive experience in defence and national security. He is a graduate of the Australian War College (Australian Command and Staff Course) and holds a Master of Business Administration (ANU), a Master of Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism (Macquarie University), and a Bachelor of Policing (Charles Sturt University). Joseph Zeller | LinkedIn

This article is published under a Creative Commons Licence and may be republished with attribution.