The Containment School in the US-China Policy: An Explanation from the Balance of Threat Perspective

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.A. in International Relations, Political Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of International Relations, Political Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22124/wp.2025.29590.3467

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the increasing competition between the United States of America as the "leader of the prevailing international order" and the People's Republic of China as an "emerging power". This article raises the question of what factor has contributed to strengthening the containment strategy versus the engagement strategy in the US foreign policy towards China since 2010? It believes that the perception of China as an emerging threat has strengthened the containment school in the US foreign policy towards China. This article shows that the increase in China's economic, military, political and cultural power in the context of various initiatives and actions has challenged the interests and dominance of the United States in the prevailing liberal order; therefore, the perception of American elites of China as a country with interests in the prevailing order has changed to the perception of China as a threat to the American order and interests; Therefore, American policies after 2010 have been focused on containing China to balance against the threats posed by this country.

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