Chinese and Western International Relations Theories

Chinese and westerly International traffic TheoriesChinese ancient school of rulings1 and Western International Relations theories A comparative studyIntroductionBackground of the studyThe study of world-wide relations has classically focused on the cause of war and the conditions of peace. With mainland Chinas overwhelming economic growth and active diplomacy engaging in international affairs, numerous concerns of Chinas emerging creator construct become priorities on international political agendas, which also lead to many academic seekes on the manner in which China rises. The increasing attentions atomic number 18 pull to Chinese perspectives of inter- bring ups relations, because there are remarkable different perspectives and actions between China and western countries, for example, Chinas pop outspoken opposition to international action against Libya, Syria, conglutination Korea, and Iran. Chinas no-string attached contrary aid policy on African countries has been frequently accused as support to corrupt and brutal dictators and a barricade of democratic progress, while most of western countries impose reform conditions when providing aid. As such, the rise of China has not simply challenged the international status quo, plainly also challenged the conventional wisdom on international relations.2 (Deng, 2008)As a consequence, debates are centered around uncertaintys on whether Chinas rise testament be a threat to the regional peace and world security. Over the past three decades, many western scholars have speculated that China depart mental unsoundness the current western-oriented international order and reshape the rules of the world in order to service its interests can China peacefully replace U.S as a world author will Chinas rise result in military conflict with its neighbor countries?Statement of the problemThere has been no shortage of research on Chinas potential to become a superpower. However, the western experience and thou ghts usually conclude that Chinas emerging power will be highly problematic and dangerous to the rest of world. It is hard to obtain a holistic explanation of the aforementioned differences from the obvious economic and geopolitical summit of view alone. One needs an understanding of the Chinese core values and worldview which stems from Chinese philosophy.Although contemporary China has incorporated foreign thoughts including Marxism and Capitalism into its political and kindly system, ancient philosophy still plays a considerable role in its policy-making and in the international relations. As Rosita Dellios pointed out, for western politicians and scholars, any sylvan whose actions have enormous impact on the high politics on the international stage, is worth studying at a deeper theoretical level, in particular(a) its philosophy and perspective on the world order. The importance of the Chinese schools teachings on inter- secernate relations cannot be overestimated. It shapes policy-makers ideas, which in turn influence Chinas foreign policy and behavior. A proper understanding of Chinas philosophy concerning International relations and the view of the world affairs will help to growth the understanding, the causes of conflict and the condition for peace with regard to the rise of China. Moreover, the importance of culture and philosophical thoughts in IR theory has recently been highlighted by the publication of a book titled The return of culture and identity in IR theory, which pointed out that the question of culture, philosophical thought and identity have of all time been part of our analysis of the social world, even if often times underestimated. The return of culture and philosophical thoughts has been brought about partly by the failure of the traditional, positivist, neo-realist school to signal events associated with the ending of the Cold War. IR scholars are now reclaiming culture and identity in response to their mounting difficulties w ith exponential increase in global heterogeneousness and diversity. (Chan,1999)Aims and objectiveThe objectives of this study are two-fold. Firstly, it seeks analogies and dis-analogies between major Western International Relations theories and the philosophical traditions of Chinas Spring Autumn and war states period. This is performed with the question of commensurability in mind. Secondly, it will examine the influence of ancient Chinese philosophical thoughts on contemporary Chinese policy-makers conception of international relations in approaching global affairs. These two objectives are closely related. As Dr. Henry Kissinger was cited in Yan Xue Tongs book If China became a strong world power, the Chinese judicature would adopt ancient Chinese philosophy quite an than Marxism or Liberalism to guide its foreign policy and the people outside China would be earnest to learn about these ancient Chinese philosophical thoughts. (Yan, 2013) This research aims to bridge the gap between Western studies of the Chinese interstate relations and Chinas own perception of its rise in world politics. My concern is not only to explore the commonality but also to induce the recurrence of a wide variety of philosophical practice in contemporary world politics.Limits of the StudyThere is sufficient research on various ancient Chinese schools of philosophy on virtuous notions and domestic governance. This study will only discuss classical Chinese thought on inter-state relations, interstate order, transfer of hegemonic power and world leadership. The aim of this research is to lay a foundation for genuine dialogue of civilizations between East and West in terms of perspectives of international relations. This is expect to be conductive to a mutual learning process and has potential to enrich modern IR theory by casting Chinese thoughts. query QuestionsIs there any commonality between Western IR theories and ancient Chinese schools of thought, where does it arise and what form does it take?Does ancient Chinese school of thought of interstate relations still have implications on contemporary Chinese foreign policy?MethodologyThis research will horizontally juxtapose Western IR theories and major ancient Chinese schools of philosophy (Legalism, Confucianism, Daoism and Guan Zis thoughts) by comparing their analytic methodology, main arguments, views on hegemony, and their empirical implications for Chinas rise. Analogies and dis-analogies in those philosophical practices will be traced out between Chinese and Western thinking. Vertically, coincidence among thoughts of Chinese philosophers will also be employed. According to Waltzs three levels of analysis of international relations (Individual, State, and System), Confucius analyzed interstate relations based on individual moral values. Guan Zi and Han Fei Zis analyses however, emphasize the level of the state. Lao Zi (Daoism) conducts his analyses at the system level, from the perspective of the abrstract world.Comparisons between Chinese classical schools of philosophy and western IR theory will be employed as followsLegalism (Xun Zi and Han Fei Zi) VS. worldBriefly speaking, Xun Zi (313-238 BC) and his students, such as Han Fei Zi, have a dark notion of the tender-hearted-nature just as reality. This is not unlike Machiavellis and Hobbess state of nature, which they expound as a condition where men are engaged in a war of all against all, constantly struggling for survival. According to Classic realism scholar Morgenthau, the human nature is rational, egoistic and constantly seeking to maximize power. These anthropologic come befores can be transferred to the behavior of a state in an international system. Xun Zi and Han Fei Zi also described human nature are vicious, constantly pursuing self-interest and benefit. Xun Zi believed that the ideas of a states leader have a determine role on its nature. The stability of the international system depends on the nature of the state. Xun Zi listed basic moral principals, such as credibility and trust among allies as necessary for a leader to gain world leadership. If an issued decree turns out to incur loss for the government but benefit the people, the leadership should uphold it rather than lose the trust of his people by abandoning it if a ratified treaty between allies is in conflict with a states self-interests, the state should not withdraw from it as to not lose the trust of his allies. A recent example for this is the protocol of Kyoto the US, typically assuming the role of the world leader, shirked its duty to reduce greenhouse gas emission and has been blamed for this by other nations. Xun Zi emphasizes the importance of credibility among allies to gain hegemonial power, rather than employing tricks to cheat its allies. In addition, the comparison not only reveals parallels between Machiavellis and Han Fei Zis thoughts about the politic reality and morality, but also display subtle differenc es between them.Guanzis thoughts VS. NeoliberalismGuan Zhong (d. 645 B.C.) was a prime minister of the State of Qi in the Spring and Autumn period, the Guan Zi is one of thecollections of Guan Zhongs thoughts concerning statesmanship. Guan Zhongs domestic policies and diplomatic strategy helped the Qi state to become the leading state and hegemon in the Spring and Autumn Period.Guan Zhong believed that the economic well-being was the foundation of a state. When the granaries are full, the people will know properness and moderation. When their food and clothing is adequate, they will know the honor and shame3. This reflects the underlying notion of the rational individual. People with sufficient wealth would be easily accomplished with decency and etiquette, and be more like to obey the regulation. Then, a rational individual can enjoy their freedom and pursue their interest. Guan Zhongs reform motivates farmers, handcraft men, and businesses by lowering tax and reducing government interference in order to promote production and free economy mechanism. Meanwhile, due to beneficial trade policies, the Qi state became the busiest trade center in ancient China. Guan Zis perspective has commonality with contemporary liberal assumptions associated with John Locke and Immanuel Kant. According to Kant, the rational quality of the individual, scorn their self-interest, will lead individuals to cooperate and construct a peaceful world.Moreover, Guan Zhong also recognized the anarchical world order is a reason for worlds instability. He called for all states to honor the king of Zhou and to set up international norms, to avoid anarchy and restore the hierarchy of the Zhou dynasty, which would reduce the likelihood of war. In addition, he proposed a confederation. Its member remained sovereign, linked only by partially federal institutions and by collective security alliances against barbarian in the Union China as in Europe today.In contrast to most liberals perspect ives of the equality of state sovereignty, Guan Zi believed that there was hierarchical structure between members of a confederation. States are not equal, powerful states should take big(p)er responsibility. Perhaps, the account of Guan Zhong may better explain reality of the international system. We can notice that the features of hierarchical structure and power relationships among members of the main international organizations today Permanent members of United Nations, voting structure of World Bank and International Monetary Fund4.The aim of Guan Zhongs reforms were to build a justified hegemony status for Qi, similar to Charles P. Kindleberger5 and Robert Keohanes hegemonic stability theory, which argues that to maintain the stability of the international system, a single dominant world power is needed to lend oneself and develop the rules of the system.Confucianism VS. Idealism Confucianism has been an essential element in Chinese society, politics and international relatio ns. Confucianism highlights the role of virtue for harmony and peace (). Moral standards of ren (benevolence)and li (rituals, moral standards)will be able to maintain harmony in family, stability in a nation, and peace in the whole world. Confucius emphasized that good government and internal peace and prosperity of a nation would play a significant role in the world and serve as a world(a) paradigm for other nations. Confuciuss scholar, Kang You Wei, advocates moral reforms to extend Chinese benevolence to the Westerners to avoid impart conflict (Feng, 2007). To some extent, Confucianism perspectives parallel classical liberalism, which rests upon the normative premise although liberals accept that different societies have different values and norms, they believe in peace as the one common interest of all societies.DaoismDaoism is brought about by Lao Zi and developed by Zhuang Zi and Sun Zi. Dao means the universal objective laws. Lao Zi summarized the law of initiation by obse rving regular inventions of nature and human beings. This can best be understood by observing the parallel to the modern notion of the laws of nature. According to modern understanding, the universe and all beings and objects within it, curse on a small set of universal objective laws. Everything that evolves within the universe can be derived from these laws, even if enormous complexity can fuddle this fact. Indeed, it is widely believed that a final, single law (GUT) can be found from which everything else can be derived. In this spirit, one should understand Lao Zis excoriate The dao bears one, one bears (). This principle is reflected in the principle of the scientific method. The outset is the scientific mind observing its environment and recognizing a pattern (), by continued research, the pattern can be refined into a law (), which itself is the starting point for further refinement (). This chain bears the potential to create a whole universe (). There is an incisive exp osition in regard to international relations in Chapter 61 of Dao De Jing, which reads as follows The great country may be analysed to a low-lying lake where many rivers convergeit is the mixing place of the world, the reservoir of all under heaven, t is said that by practice of quiescence and humility the great can absorb and conquer the small without effort,and the small and insignificant can gain riches and treasure by submitting to the great.The great state wishes to keep and bring up its people, and help others.The small state wishes to help its people by joining with the peace and strength of the larger state.Both states get what they wish by submitting. broadness lies in placing oneself below.(Translated by John Dicus, 2002).Lao Zi emphasized stillness and humbleness in inter-states relations.The legacy of Daoism has influenced contemporary Chinese foreign policies and has been well laid out in the five principles of Deng Xiao Pings foreign policy guidelines. The essence of Dengs foreign policy is to keep a low key in international affairs and strengthen domestic affairs. According to Daoism, staying in neutral () is safest and yields the most sustainable profit. Dont stick your head out entirely discourage a state to pursue hegemony. This can be understood in terms of the western IR concept Balance of Power, which states that the power of a hegemon will always be counterbalanced by a strategic alliance of rivals in order to secure their interests.ConclusionIn the course of this course we will compare major ancient Chinese philosophies to western theories and concepts in International Relations. We will pick a subset of each group and draw direct one-to-one comparisons in horizontal pairs. The choice of pairs is guided by the rough degree of similarity in the general framework. In particular we will compare Confucianism to Idealism, Guan Zi to Neoliberalism and Legalism to Realism, with the Chinese and the western part respectively. Complementarily, we will draw vertical comparisons among the ideas of the Chinese schools of philosophy.Preliminary BibliographyAcharya, A. (2011). Dialogue and discovery in search of international relations theories beyond the West. Millennium-Journal of International Studies, 39(3), 619-637.Chad Hansen, (1992), A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought A Philosophical Interpretation, Oxford University shortenGerald Chan,(1999), Chinese Perspectives on International relations A Framework for Analysis, London, Macmillan Press LTD.Feng Huiyun (2007)Chinese Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Decision-making Confucianism, leadership and war, London, RoutedgeYan Xuetong,(2011) Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power,Edited by Daniel A. Bell Sun Zhe. Translated by Edmund Ryden. Princeton Oxford Princeton University PressZhang, C. (2013). arrest Chinas attitude toward international order from general delegitimization to selective embeddedness.Jeffrey W. Legro, (2007) What China Will Want The Future Intentions of a Rising Power, Perspectives on Politics, American Political Science Associationhttp//www.chinaguanzi.com/newsview.asp?id=790Jack Snyder, Some Good and Bad Reasons for a Distinctively Chinese Approach to International Relations Theory, newspaper publisher presented at the annual meeting of the APSA, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 28 August 2008, 9, 10.1 The tradition Chinese philosophy on inter-state relations originated from the Spring and Autumn Period ( 770bc-476bc) and the Warring States era (475bc-221bc). During these periods, the competition for territory and hegemony status among princely states forced states seek to balance of power and develop relationship among them.2 Yong Deng, 2008, Chinas Struggle for billet the Realignment of International Relations, Cambridge University Press3 4 Daniel A. Belll, p11 Introduction,5 Charles Kindleberger, The World in Depression, 1929-39, Chapter 14, An Explanation of the 1929 Depression, (Berkeley Univer sity of California Press, 1973), pp. 291-308