The Race for the 21st Century : An Economic Nationalist Analysis of the Sino-American Technological Conflict

Abstract: The 21st century is likely to be shaped by the outcome of the Sino-American conflict. This thesis delves into the role of technology in shaping the economic growth and military prowess of states, with a specific focus on the Sino-American technological conflict. The study investigates four operational variables generated by the theory of economic nationalism: import/export restrictions, national innovation policies, talent acquisition policies, and trade diversification strategies to discern the strategies employed by China and the United States in their pursuit of technological dominance. Both nations actively align their policies with the principles of economic nationalism, recognizing the strategic significance of technological advancements in securing national interests. The findings show a congruency in the approaches adopted by China and the United States across the operational variables studied. The identified patterns contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the Sino-American technological conflict and highlight the broader applicability of the economic nationalism framework. The observed congruency with economic nationalism is not an isolated phenomenon but a broader trend applicable to other geopolitical contexts. Therefore, the theory serves as a valuable instrument for examining and comprehending conflicts, extending beyond technological conflicts to other contexts. This amplifies our capacity to investigate conflicts while simultaneously validating the significance of economic nationalism as a theoretical framework.