Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

China is using its soft economic power to contend against the U.S. sphere of influence. I believe it is the enactment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), land and maritime infrastructure plan, and it is continued expansion threatened U.S. hegemonic position. Using the idea of development and hegemonic stability, I seek to make the case of China’s economic expansion infringing on U.S. economic hegemony. I present two similar, yet different case studies illustrating China’s economic dominance. The first case surveys the U.S. New Silk Road Initiative, explaining its purpose and failure. Next, emphasizing China’s Belt and Road Initiative’s goal and success. The first two sections provide a literature review of hegemonic stability theory and development. The third section gives a brief overview illustrating the nature U.S.-China economic relationship. Parts four and five are case study’s about the U.S. and China’s economic development infrastructure initiatives.