Technological Cold War: Analysing the Sino-American Rivalry from a Perspective of Digital Mercantilism

Year 2023, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 284 - 308, 26.09.2023

Övgü Kalkan Küçüksolak

https://doi.org/10.14782/marmarasbd.1345741

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics of the rivalry between the US and China in the process of setting
digital standards under the politics of digital mercantilism. While technology is too often considered as
an external factor in the international relations literature, it is obvious that systemic technologies play a
crucial role in the distribution of power. In the great powers rivalry, systemic technologies constitute an
area of competition not only in terms of technology acquisition but also in terms of standards settings.
Recently, the US and China rivalry becomes visible in the process of setting the standards in digital
technologies, which are among the main systemic technologies and are used in almost every aspect of
life. The struggle of these two powers to become a dominant standard setter is crucial in understanding
the future of the international system.Under the context of current competition, both powers structure
their digital policies on the basis of mercantilist approach by dedicating a primary role to national
digital industries and protectionist measures. Benefiting from all kinds of opportunities of the free
market, both states are strengthening their support to national industries while imposing restrictions
on foreign initiatives through state security discourses in the process of setting digital technology
standards. This situation reveals how states can erode free market conditions and embrace mercantilist
policies when they deem it necessary. In this study, the digital policy elements of both powers have
been analyzed through their strategies, techno-political power instruments, protectionist measures
and international initiatives. In this respect, the US’s quest for conserving its leadership role and
China’s urge for expanding its area of influence stand as the basis of their policies. While the process
necessitates a global governance understanding with a stakeholderism approach, the recent conditions
of digital mercantilist policy implications and emerging pacts raise questions on the possibilities of a
technological cold war. In this vein, analyzing the main dynamics of the Sino-American rivalry on the
issue, which transcends interstate relations and is closely related to global community, is crucial with a
view to offer insights about the future of the international system.

Keywords

Sino-American Rivalry, Systemic Technologies, Digital Mercantilism, Digital Standards

Teknolojik Soğuk Savaş: ABD-Çin Rekabetinin Dijital Merkantilizm Üzerinden Analizi

Abstract

Bu çalışma dijital standartların belirlenmesi sürecinde yaşanan Çin-ABD rekabetini tarafların uyguladıkları dijital merkantilist politikalar üzerinden incelemektedir. Teknoloji unsuru uluslararası ilişkiler literatüründe sıklıkla dışsal bir faktör olarak ele alınmaktaysa da sistemik teknolojilerin güç dağılımında ciddi bir rol oynadıkları görülmektedir. Sistemik teknolojiler yalnızca teknolojiye sahip olunması anlamında değil standartların belirlenmesi sürecinde de büyük güçlerin mücadelesine sahne olmaktadır. Günümüzün güçler mücadelesi çerçevesinde hem Çin'in hem de ABD'nin dijital politikalarını merkantilist bir anlayışla şekillendirdikleri ve bu doğrultuda ulusal dijital endüstrileri ile korumacı politikalara birincil rol atfettikleri görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada, her iki gücün dijital politika unsurları ortaya koydukları stratejileri, tekno-politik güç unsurları, korumacı önlemleri ve uluslararası girişimleri kapsamında incelenmektedir. ABD'nin uluslararası sistemdeki liderlik rolünü koruma, Çin'in de etki alanını genişletme saikleriyle standartların şekillendirilmesi sürecindeki politikalarına yön verdikleri gözlenmektedir. Paydaşlık anlayışına dayanan bir küresel yönetişime ihtiyaç duyulan süreçte dijital merkantilist politika uygulamalarının ve paktların ortaya çıkması, söz konusu politikaların teknolojik bir soğuk savaşa yol açıp açmayacağı sorularını sordurmaktadır. Devletlerarası ilişkilerin ötesine geçen ve küresel toplumu yakından ilgilendiren bu konuda Çin-ABD rekabetinin incelenmesi uluslararası sistemin geleceğinin anlaşılması açısından önem arz etmektedir.

Keywords

Çin-ABD rekabeti, Sistemik Teknolojiler, Dijital Merkantilizm, Dijital Standartlar

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