Will Money Bring China Power?

What is the relation between money and power? Will China use the profits of its growing economy for peaceful domestic purposes or to build a large military like the U.S. and U.K. did? Cambridge historian Piers Brendon says that while the Red Dragon is increasing its military spending, its ability to seriously challenge the U.S. is far off: “Whatever the truth, informed opinion is now divided about Chinese intentions. Some pundits maintain that the fundamental assumption of China’s leaders is that conflict is part of the human condition, the only way of resolving differences in a perilous world. A recent comprehensive survey of Chinese authors revealed that most anticipate a repeat of the ‘warring states era in Chinese history.’ Is not hostility toward ‘foreign barbarians’ China’s default state?”