Stephen Roach's "Accidental Conflict" is a timely book on the geo-political challenges we're seeing today between the US and China - Stephen Roach gives a detailed report of how each countries false narratives came about and how they have become even more emphasized in recent years. Well articulated. Thank you for the ARC Netgalley and publisher!

This was an interesting read, although I do feel that it's already out of date. I have read quite a few books on China and it is still very difficult to understand.

In this important contribution to the understanding of the complex, Stephen Roach draws on his vast trove of empirical material as a China financial practitioner and a transcultural member of various advisory bodies and on his theoretical research as a Yale scholar to deliver a well-argued and comprehensive exposition of the history and prospects of the turbulent U.S.-China bilateral relationship. His core argument is that the current dangerous conflict escalation is due to a clash of duelling false narratives having evolved over the years as a result of political expediency and scapegoating on both sides. to avoid correcting the basic unbalances of the respective two economies. The clashing intersection of National dreams reflective of respective core values and systemic and ideological differences and the weaponization of propaganda led to a dangerous escalation of conflicts: trade war, tech war, Cold War. Roach offers some suggestions as to possible ways to resolve the contradictions and lead the relationship from its current addictive co-dependency to a more acceptable and positive interdependency. He does not minimize the challenges and courage needed on the part of political actors and state leaders to rebuild both institutional and interpersonal trust and find areas of common interest before ultimately tackling the painful rebalancing of their respective economies. Although the breadth of the issues covered is impressive, it is regrettable that the rest of the world (bar Ukraine and Russia) and in particular Europe only receive passing comments which makes the argument from a geostrategic point of view rather reductionist.
Essential reading however for all who wonder how to repair the most essential relationship in the world and deflect it from its current collision course.

Accidental Conflict is a mediocre book that offers a path by which the USA and Red China could avoid war. Mr. Roach relies on insignificant differences between China and America, like the high Sino personal savings rate and the low personal savings rate in the US, to craft a wholly unworkable approach to peace in the Eastern Pacific. What Mr. Roach misses is the great benefit to every one of crushing the CCP and its totalitarian leader, Xi Jinping. Moreover, the CCP is already well into its final phase of existence, so America, India, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, the UK., and Taiwan can sit quietly by and watch Communist China collapse from its weight. All the world needs to do is firmly deter Mr. Xi from launching an attack on Taiwan, and soon the world will be rid of this paper tiger.

Accidental Conflict : America, China and the Clash of False Narratives by Stephen Roach
This is an excellent book for anyone wishing to understand the past, present and potential future relationship between China and the United States. Mr. Roach in my opinion takes an un-bias view of the detailing the false narratives put forth by both US and China political leaders to justify their own policies that do not address the short comings in their own countries. As he points out correcting internal faults will cause disruption and pain to the population. Thus, instead it is better to highlight claims against the other side whether they are true or not. Of course, neither side will ever correct their own issues. I believe the main point is therefore to be informed of the propaganda put out by our own politicians so as not to be complicit in their lies.

If you’re interested in US/ China relations and geopolitics this book is for you. In a rapidly changing world that has experienced a pandemic and outbreak of war in quick succession, in both cases these two countries have reacted in very different ways. Stephen Roach gives a detailed report of how each countries false narratives came about and how they have become even more emphasised in recent years and how future unexpected events might play out.