20 Oct THE TWO GREAT POWERS: THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA
This course tries to explain the transformation of China into a new great power. Forty years ago China was a very poor country. Today she is the only possible rival of the United States for world hegemony.
The course will start analysing the reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1978. These reforms allowed for an extraordinary economic growth under an authoritarian system controlled by the Communist Party. The changes later introduced by Xi Jinping in the economic and political model created by Deng will also be examined.
As China became stronger, she began to develop a more assertive foreign policy. This brought about a reaction by the United States. Today the US and China are competing for world hegemony.
Students will analyse the different dimensions of that competition: political, economic, military and ideological. They will also examine the struggle between the two powers to define a new world order. The role of Europe will also be highlighted.
In the last session, students will divide into two groups: an US delegation and a Chinese delegation. These two delegations will conduct a summit meeting between them. The agenda will include several issues in which they have different positions, both political and economic, together with some crisis scenarios around the world.
RAFAEL DEZCALLAR
Spanish diplomat. Retired in 2024 with the rank of Ambassador after 41 years in the Foreign Service. He was ambassador to China, between 2018 and 2024. He was also ambassador to Germany and Ethiopia. He has served in the Spanish Embassies in Honduras, Israel, Cuba, Russia, Colombia and the Holy See. He is the author of seven books, including an essay on Israel, another essay on European defense integration, two novels, and a book of stories for children. In 2025 he published “El ascenso de China: una mirada a la otra gran potencia”. He has given many lectures in Spain and abroad. He is the President of Ayuda en Acción, a Spanish NGO for international development.
Skills
Students should be able to understand better the power competition between the United States and China. This is the most consequential of all relations between two countries in today’s world. Its evolution will determine the global balance of power.
Students will be expected to actively participate in class. They will also need to do the required readings before each session, so that they will be able to take better advantage of them.
For that purpose, lectures would take half the time of each class (45 minutes), the other half being devoted to discussions. A critical attitude and an active participation in class will be encouraged. The idea is that students come out of this seminar not just having more information about the subject, but starting to develop their own ideas about it.
Schedule
Which dates?
15-jan
22-jan
29-jan
05-feb
12-feb
19-feb
What day?
THURSDAYS
What time?
16.30-18.00