Term Paper on "China's Power and Responsibility: A Revisionist Power?"

Term Paper 8 pages (2220 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

China's power and responsibility: a revisionist power?

Will a powerful China lead to more aggressive Chinese foreign behavior?

One of the main attributes of sovereignty is the right to foreign policy and the pursuit of its national interests. Such a statement was widely debated especially during the Cold War and during the discussions over sovereignty and national representation. More precisely, one of the most important personalities of the 20th century, Henry Kissinger, a renowned scholar in the field of international affairs argued that international law and thus the legal framework of the interstate relations is based on the idea of sovereignty. From this point-of-view it is important to note that foreign policy is in most cases a mirror of national interests and sovereignty (Kissinger, 1995).

China has seen one of the most impressive economic developments of the last decades. Despite the current economic crisis, China remains on top of the most prosperous countries of the world from the perspective of the economic growth index. In this sense, despite the fact that the discrepancies between certain parts of the country are significant in terms of life style and democracy, China has registered an average of 8% economic growth per year. This aspect points out to a country in a constant expansion and strive for economic power.

This economic power and influence, especially from the perspective of the environment created by the economic and financial crisis, is transgressed into foreign policy behavior. As Denny Roy pointed out back in 1994 when the Chinese power was in its early beginnings, China would eventually represent a menace for its surrounding neighbors, especially Japan (Roy, 1994).

Economic power is in most cases translated into political power. Especially in the Asian region this is often the situation. However, for China to become the first player in Asia represents a major national accomplishment and at the same time a triggering alarm sign for states such as Japan or South Korea. With economic power comes political power as well and given the nature of the historical background of the region (Roy, 1994) it is very difficult to predict future events should China indeed become the main player in the region and a crucial political and economic actor in the world.

Reference

Kissinger, Henry. Diplomacy. London: Simon & Schuster, 1995.

Roy, Denny. "Hegemon on the Horizon? China's Threat to East Asian Security,"

International Security 19, no. 1 (1994): 149-168.

Week 3. China's power and responsibility: a status quo power?

Is China an inherently peaceful country?

The history of the Chinese people as well as the geographical position of itself and its neighbors represents an important asset in the profile of the country and the possible projections of its foreign policy. China has had a tradition of conflicting views, opinions, and regimes with the rest of the world and its neighbors. It is rather difficult to assess whether China is a peaceful country or not. In most cases it depends on the regime or the form of government.

Indeed, the history of China has been marked by constant struggles and wars since the era of the dynasties. At the same time however, China has had a limited implication in the wars fought in the last years across the globe. Even if the international scene is changing, China is slowly becoming a peaceful country from the point-of-view of the military capabilities and intensions.

At the same time however, China is also one of the few countries where the Communist Party is the supreme force in the state and where the Party enjoys a wide popularity. Given this ideological aspect which clearly defines its position and role in the world, it is difficult to consider a wide coalition of democracy loving countries which are considered to be all western countries. Form this point-of-view, it is important to note that the ideological split will always characterize China as being different and communist as opposed to all democracy loving nations. Thus, the antagonism should be complete and consider China to be less peaceful in intentions and doctrines because it is run by a communist regime as opposed to democratic countries where human rights, respect for the law are considered sacred.

Despite the fact that China is being reluctantly viewed as part of the international community, it has contributed to peacekeeping operations and other international commitments to protecting lives and human rights. From this point-of-view, China can be viewed as a supporter for peace and security.

However, at the moment, in this globalised world, a peaceful country can also be related to a country with a limited commercial tactic which fails to behave aggressively on the world market. From this perspective, China is viewed as one of the most aggressive countries in the world with a commercial strategy which, as seen along the years, reaps its effects.

Week 4. China and the World: A Matter of Perceptions?

Why has there been a constant oscillation between hope and fear in Western

images of China?

The 1970s brought in the American and Western European perception an image of China that revolved around the Cultural Revolution and the goals set forth. The euphoria that existed about China in the 70s was based on a programmatic type of success, similar in goals with the American and European ones, yet very much different in ways of achieving. The information that America received about China, based mainly on visits to the country was one of "harmony and unity, vigor, and dedication, which they contrasted with the elitism, competitiveness and moral uncertainty of their own society" (Harding, 1982, p 938). The context was also favorable for such a perception -- externally and internally: the need of an ally that would share the same goals close to the Soviet Union and an intellectual, cultural and political context with the U.S.

A change of perspective appeared in the 1980s as more information regarding the egalitarian society of Chinese communism surfaced. As Harding accurately points out, "the dominant mood has been one of disappointment and disillusionment" (Harding, 1982,p 936) mainly due to the way the egalitarian society was build by trespassing on human rights.

As in the 1990s and in more recent years, China's assessment has gone through major changes in the level, depth and systemic ways in which it was performed. Changes in the political and universal values climate in the U.S. And Western Europe (Harding, 1982, p943) as well as the increase of information and the decrease of 1970s euphoria led to more "fear" than "hope" in what regards China's position in the world and in relation to the West.

As the international environment becomes more interdependent and slowly moves towards cooperative leadership, China's perception in the U.S. continues to adapt itself. China is not only one of U.S. main commercial partners but also one of the 3 most important players in the Asian region. To reduce an oscillation in perception that can become dangerous in time, China's image should be constructed on an objective and systemic base, resulting in a balanced approach not an extreme one like "euphoric hope" or "Cold War fear."

Reference

Harding, Harry, "From China with Disdain: New Trends in the Study of China,"

Asian Survey, vol. 22, no. 10 (October 1982), pp. 934-958.

Week 5. China and global economic order

Will an economically powerful China inevitably undermine the current global economic order?

The economic environment at the moment is one of the most complex constructions of modern times largely because of the interdependency which exists at the global level. From this point-of-view, it is essential to consider the role of China not only as one of the most important human powers of the world but also as one of the most powerful economies of the moment.

The power of the Chinese state will represent a crucial factor in the development of the economic environment in the years and decades to come. Firstly, the economic power of China is seen on global markets and in the way in which the economy continues to grow and develop. The Chinese model of development is considered to be viable enough to resist the current economic crisis because of its unique form. It is a crucial mix between communist economic principles and frameworks and liberal practices and investments. It is very important to view the major investments along the years which led corporations such as Nike or Adidas to consider China a major partner for manufacturing, selling, and branding.

Secondly, China has the potential, especially from a human point-of-view, to continue on its ascending path. The labor market is on a continuous and constant curve which implies a big power of manufacturing and in turn trade and investment. Indeed, the situation of the population does not reflect entirely the economic development. However, given the mix between communism and open market practices, there is little need for a democratic process to take place in order to increase the economic power of the Chinese state.

Thirdly, the economic ties of the Chinese with Western world,… READ MORE

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