Should the US Begin De-Coupling from China
A lot has been discussed lately about continued trade relations with China at current levels.
From the Corona Virus to American jobs being lost to foreign competition.
Investment in China is being viewed as high-risk!
Read the following Articles:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/china/2020-06-03/folly-decoupling-chinaLinks to an external site.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/decoupling-the-us-from-china-would-backfire/2020/09/08/46880cfe-f1fc-11ea-999c-67ff7bf6a9d2_story.htmlLinks to an external site.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/11/us-china-global-economy-donald-trumpLinks to an external site.
and then discuss the questions below.
Are you OK continuing to invest in China?
What would happen to our economy if we de-coupled, or at least begin significantly reducing our trade with China?
If not China, where else can we go for lower priced labor and goods?
Do you see any risks with reducing trade with the most populated country in the world?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Debate on De-Coupling from China: A Critical Analysis
In recent times, the discussion on whether the United States should de-couple from China has gained significant traction. With a myriad of issues ranging from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to concerns about American job losses, the debate has intensified. This essay delves into the complexities surrounding the idea of de-coupling from China and explores the potential implications for the US economy.
Thesis Statement
While de-coupling from China may seem like a viable solution to mitigate risks associated with investments and trade, it is essential to carefully assess the potential consequences before embarking on such a significant shift in economic relations.
Continuing Investments in China
The question of whether to continue investing in China is a complex one. On one hand, China remains a crucial player in the global economy, and many US companies have established supply chains and manufacturing facilities in the country. However, recent geopolitical tensions and concerns about intellectual property theft have raised doubts about the long-term viability of such investments.
Economic Implications of De-Coupling
If the US were to de-couple from China or significantly reduce trade relations, it could have far-reaching consequences for the economy. While some argue that reducing dependence on China could lead to reshoring of manufacturing jobs and bolster domestic industries, others warn that it could result in supply chain disruptions, higher consumer prices, and potential retaliation from China.
Alternative Sources for Labor and Goods
In the event of de-coupling from China, the US would need to explore alternative sources for lower-priced labor and goods. Countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, have emerged as potential destinations for outsourcing manufacturing operations. However, transitioning away from China would require significant adjustments and investments to build new supply chains.
Risks of Reducing Trade with China
Reducing trade with the most populated country in the world comes with its own set of risks. China plays a pivotal role in the global economy, and any disruptions in trade relations could have ripple effects across industries worldwide. Moreover, strained diplomatic ties between the US and China could escalate tensions and impact other areas of cooperation.
In conclusion, the decision to de-couple from China is not one to be taken lightly. While there are valid concerns about continued investments in China, it is crucial to weigh the potential economic, geopolitical, and social implications of such a move. As the world navigates through uncertain times, finding a balance between economic interests and national security considerations will be key in shaping future policies towards China.
