Over the last 100 – 150 years, China has coped with two major traditions (though some argue the existence of a third tradition) or multiple, competing cultures. The conflicts between these traditions heavily influenced China’s past. Policymakers must wrestle with the question: what events work to tip China towards one tradition or another?

Professor Johnson defined the two major traditions to be 1) State Nationalism and 2) Liberal Nationalism. An important factor, which tips China towards one tradition over the other, is the external or international environment. The choices made in the United States have considerable influence on China’s domestic environment.