Chinese and Indian Strategic Behavior: Growing Power and Alarm

by George J. Gilboy, Eric Heginbotham

This book offers an empirical comparison of Chinese and Indian international strategic behavior. It is the first study of its kind, filling an important gap in the literature on rising Indian and Chinese power and American interests in Asia. The book creates a framework for the systematic and objective assessment of Chinese and Indian strategic behavior in four (1) strategic culture; (2) foreign policy and use of force; (3) military modernization (including defense spending, military doctrine, and force modernization); and (4) economic strategies (including international trade and energy competition). The utility of democratic peace theory in predicting Chinese and Indian behavior is also examined. The findings challenge many assumptions underpinning western expectations of China and India.

378 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2012

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilboy and Higgenbotham deconstruct the hyper Manichean view that China is "bad" because they are a totalitarian hegemon wannabe while India is "good" merely because they possess a "democratic" government. Carefully examining such metrics as strategic culture, foreign relations, military spending, and interactions with "rogue" nations, the authors construct a nuanced view of India and China's foreign relations and aspirations. They conclude both nations have behaved similarly despite their divergent forms of government. I would have liked to seen a more detailed examination of the nuclear treaty between the US and India. That agreement had the unintended consequence of steeling the resolve of Iran to pursue its nuclear ambitions and has destabilized the status quo with Pakistan. Also troubling was their offhand conclusion that the US must stay its "liberal" interventionist course in the conduct of its own foreign affairs. Those quibbles aside, this is a first rate analysis of India and China's foreign affairs and aspirations.

[anshuman · Rating 3 out of 5]

original and thought provoking...but the authors seem to miss the point that inertia and balance in international relations does rest on a lot of tangibles as well as intangibles - encompassing all macro-issues the authors try to point out...
Difference of opinion with respect to equating Chinese and Indian regimes on issues pertaining to relations with neighbours and also a lack of discussion on plurality that is inherent to democracies..
policies may reflect disjoint and misaligned behavior at the policy level but considering the long gestation periods involved in setting international/domestic policies, they don't seem to take note of policy 'ironing' in the long term, moving discussion towards centre rather than leaving them warped..
for instance, the one-child policy of China and the sterilisation policies enacted by India around the same time...the Indian experience, obviously painful and chaotic, was driven out of the 'executive' hands, ultimately...only time will tell how we use our demographic advantage...

[Samrat Sen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written analyzing the foreign policy and military doctrine of India & China, and the corresponding US strategy.

Thought provoking and insightful. Gives a real good perspective on the dynamics between China & India... where we are today and things are shaping up for long term.

Refreshingly different from what gets fed by the print & broadcasting media to the respective citizens of both countries.