Sino-US Competition: Is Liberal Democracy an Asset or Liability?

This review essay covers five recent books on US-China relations, in particular addressing the rising challenge from China to the United States. These books examine US-China rivalry and advocate for changes, more or less, in US foreign policy. The essay offers a new synthesis by referring to lessons in US history and theoretical inspirations on flexible network. It evaluates the importance of liberal democracy for the United States to formulate its strategy and policy in response to China’s rising authoritarianism.