Has China’s Power Peaked? Open to Debate Tapes Virtual Debate on Monday, January 30
Ian Bremmer debates Michael Beckley
This was supposed to be the “Chinese century.” In just a few decades, China transitioned from a developing economy to the world’s second largest. Measured in purchasing power parity, it actually surpassed the U.S. economy in 2014, and has since expanded its military, monetary, infrastructure, and soft power capacities in ways that all seemed to point to long-term advantages as a rising power. Yet the failure of China’s zero-COVID policy, a slumping economy, apparent supply chain vulnerabilities within its technology sector, and a problematic demographic profile have all raised questions about the scope of China’s future power. Against this backdrop, award-winning debate series Open to Debate will tape a virtual debate on question: Has China’s Power Peaked?
Arguing “YES” is Michael Beckley, formerly of the Harvard Kennedy School, the US Department of Defense, the RAND Corporation, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Arguing “NO” is Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group, a leading global political risk research and consulting firm, and the foreign affairs columnist and editor-at-large at Time magazine, where he writes about China, U.S. foreign policy, and geopolitics.
While the debate will not be released widely until February 17, via public radio, video, and the Open to Debate podcast, press are invited to attend the live virtual taping on Monday, January 30 at 1:45 PM ET. Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for virtual access.
PARTICIPANT BIOS
* Michael Beckley: China Expert and Author, “Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China”
Michael Beckley is a leading expert on the balance of power between the United States and China. The author of two books and multiple award-winning articles, Michael is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University and a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Previously, Michael was an International Security Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, the RAND Corporation, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He continues to advise offices within the U.S. Intelligence Community and U.S. Department of Defense.
* Ian Bremmer: Founder and President, Eurasia Group
Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm, and president of GZERO Media. He is the foreign affairs columnist and editor-at-large at Time magazine, where he writes about China, U.S. foreign policy, and geopolitics. A prolific writer, he is the author of eleven books, including the New York Times best-seller, “Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism,” which explores the consequences of globalism.
ABOUT OPEN TO DEBATE
Open to Debate was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit organization serves as a model for responsible media in a new age – fair, intelligent, nonpartisan – while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recognized as “Best Podcast Event of 2020” by Adweek, Open to Debate reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio, podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps. With over 220 debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, the organization has encouraged the public to “think twice” on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Open to Debate was initiated by The Rosenkranz Foundation, which continues to provide major support.
For more information on Open to Debate, contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.
