China’s Rise to Power
After reading, “China vs. the U.S.: The case for second place”, examine how China’s rise to power compares to other cases in which a rising nation has challenged an existing superpower, such as the American challenge to British hegemony a century ago. Describe the political obstacles that China may face in integrating with an international order that has been dominated by western democracies. Evaluate whether the U.S. should attempt to contain China’s rise through containment or engagement.
Social Stratification Systems: Caste vs. Class
India’s caste system, in which there are four major castes, or varnas, is a social construct that is ascribed and immutable: people are born into this system and cannot move between castes. In American society, class systems, of which there are five, are social rankings based largely on economic position. In America, unlike India, one can transcend class through economic or social success. After reading “Caste in India and the United States”, assess whether or not an individual can transcend class in the United States.