Destined For War by Graham Allison
- 1. In 'Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?', Graham Allison explores the historical patterns of rising powers and established powers clashing, drawing on the ancient insights of Thucydides, who noted that the rise of Athens alarmed Sparta and led to the Peloponnesian War. Allison meticulously analyzes the relationship between the United States and China, arguing that the dynamics between these two nations echo those historical precedents, where the tensions and competition can lead to inevitable conflict if we are not careful in our diplomatic and strategic responses. Through a detailed examination of past case studies, Allison outlines the critical factors that contribute to the likelihood of war, while also highlighting instances where conflict was successfully averted. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological and cultural contexts that both nations operate within, advocating for proactive engagement and the pursuit of collaboration to mitigate the risks of a potentially devastating confrontation. With the rise of China's global influence, the book serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for policymakers, urging them to navigate this precarious relationship with wisdom and foresight to forge a future where both great powers can coexist peacefully.
What is the main subject of 'Destined For War' by Graham Allison?
A) Economic globalization
B) The Thucydides Trap
C) The Cold War
D) Nuclear proliferation
- 2. The Thucydides Trap describes the danger when...
A) Economic depression leads to conflict
B) Cultural differences cause misunderstandings
C) Two nuclear powers engage in proxy wars
D) A rising power threatens to displace a ruling power
- 3. How many historical cases of Thucydides Trap does Allison examine?
A) 12
B) 16
C) 20
D) 8
- 4. What percentage of Thucydides Trap cases ended in war according to Allison?
A) 75%
B) 50%
C) 90%
D) 25%
- 5. What is Allison's primary professional background?
A) Military general
B) Political scientist and professor
C) Diplomat
D) Journalist
- 6. Which Chinese leader's rise is central to Allison's analysis?
A) Deng Xiaoping
B) Hu Jintao
C) Mao Zedong
D) Xi Jinping
- 7. What is the original work where Thucydides described this dynamic?
A) The Republic
B) Politics
C) The Histories
D) History of the Peloponnesian War
- 8. What role does Allison believe economic interdependence plays?
A) It has no effect on conflict
B) It helps but doesn't guarantee peace
C) It makes war impossible
D) It always leads to war
- 9. How does Allison view the role of accidents and miscalculation?
A) As insignificant factors
B) As completely preventable
C) As major catalysts for war
D) As irrelevant to great powers
- 10. What does Allison suggest about the inevitability of conflict?
A) War is completely inevitable
B) Peace is guaranteed
C) War is likely but not inevitable
D) Conflict is impossible to predict
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