ABSTRACT
The testimony from both qualitative and quantitative evidence points to contemporary Chinese nationalism's possession of every trait that, according to the social science literature, is indicative of a propensity toward collective violence. In the lethal brew of attributes that singly and collectively dispose a people toward aggressive nationalism, none is as potent as political authoritarianism. Like the mythical Janus, nationalism is said to have two faces: a peaceable herbivorous face and an aggressive carnivorous face. Which face of Janus is worn by Chinese patriotic nationalism is a question that has potentially grave implications for regional stability as well as US policy. The United States has bilateral security treaties with a number of countries in Asia, including Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as a congressional act on Taiwan. Taiwan Relations Act has committed the United States to the maintenance of Taiwan's peace and security.
