Explore the evolving U.S.-China competition in politics, economics, and policy.
Global Focus: Competing with China is a semester-long program that will allow students to participate in four in-depth learning and discussion sessions with China policy experts to explore the current relationship and state of affairs between the United States and China. We’ll take a look at how the two nations compete economically and politically, with a focus on how evolving policy decisions from the new administration impact our ability to compete.
For context, we begin with a deep dive into the political, economic, and social history of China, including a close look at the historical roots of China’s government and decision-making as it has evolved as a nation. We will study the formative period between the two nations and key decisions in Chinese history, focusing on the Taiwan Relations Act through the 1989 protests and massacre in Tiananmen Square. Students will examine rapid economic development and social change, including reforms under regimes from Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s to the current President of the PRC, Xi Jinping.
Through interactive small-group discussions and exercises with experts, the program sheds light on China’s rise as a global economic power, and the impact of mass urbanization that drives decision-making about its future today. Students will explore what has been called the “lost decade” of social reforms during the Hu-Wen era, and analyze today’s concerns about China’s social policies and how to deal with its massive, aging population.
Our approach leads to a current-day examination of the rise to power of Xi Jinping through the Chinese Communist Party, how he changed the system, and his ambitions to challenge the U.S. as the world’s pre-eminent economic power. This leads to critical questions that participants will address: Is America prepared to compete with China? How does our economic interdependence impact this competition over the next decade?
The program ends with a dynamic, interactive learning activity: students will participate in a simulation to provide an analysis for a U.S. tech client doing business in China.
This program is led by Eisenhower Institute non-resident expert, Kevin Nealer, a principal of The Scowcroft Group. Mr. Nealer provides strategic risk advisory services to clients, specializing in financial services and trade policy with emerging markets, with a focus on China. A former diplomat and Congressional trade policy advisor, he served on President Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and advisor to its RealEcon program.
Schedule
Dates may change based on speaker availability.
Friday, September 19, 4-6pm – Gettysburg
Guest (virtual): Ryan Hass, Director, John L. Thornton China Center & author, Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence; former National Security Council China Director; former foreign service officer in Beijing
Friday, October 17, 4-6pm - Gettysburg
Friday, October 24, 4-6pm - Gettysburg
Guest: John Culver, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings; former CIA senior intelligence officer, East Asian Affairs
Monday, November 3, 4-6pm - Gettysburg
Guest (virtual): Melanie Hart, China Policy Coordinator for Undersecretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment at the US Department of State
Friday, November 7, 8am-5pm – Washington, D.C.
Final project: US-China Competition Business Simulation with Bob Goldberg, former Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Beijing
Prospective Applicants
The program is open to all Gettysburg College rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students of all majors with an interest in international relations, economics, and global affairs are encouraged to apply. Applicants are expected to be available for all sessions, trips, and activities during the program.
Previous Global Focus Programs
GLOBAL FOCUS is a series of Eisenhower Institute programs designed to help students gain insight and analyze American foreign policy, international relations, emerging economies and regional conflict, cooperation, and competition around the world.
2024-2025: Oman: Oasis in the Middle East
Spring 2024: Germany's Heartlands
Fall 2023: Competing with China