The trajectory of rising US-Chinese tensions in the past decade, their future development into an ever-increasing rivalry or potential armed clash is a dominant topic debated in “International Relations Theory (IRT)”. By selecting a particular IRT, analysts determine perceptions and optimistic/pessimistic attitudes regarding state-related interaction patterns. Here, the Western IRT discourse provides hard/soft power analyses which are criticized for a) being too parsimonious and fueling confrontative self-fulfilling prophecies (realism), b) projecting its Western-centric tenets onto a different cultural context leading to interventionism (liberalism), and c) being too optimistic about changing belligerent identities (constructivism). While eclectic approaches try to mitigate these shortfalls, they still omit the extant Chinese IRT, mainly revolving around relational power. In turn, the different Chinese perspectives are equally criticized for a) possessing “little” generalization potential due to their “Sino-centric” nature, b) transporting an “anti-Western” agenda, c) legitimizing China’s “political actions”, and d) assuming a benevolent/ non-confrontative Chinese actor.
Thus, the paper aims to add an eclectic meta-perspective to the debate by bridging the different IRTs with a systems dynamics analysis that translates/integrates the power dynamics into ‘Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs)’. It does so to offer an informed answer to the research question of which power dynamics characterize the US-Chinese rivalry and how they influence the future trajectory of their relations.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE WESTERN IRT LENS
2.1 Realism
2.2 Liberalism
2.3 Constructivism
3. THE CHINESE IRT LENS
4. ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM DYNAMICS
5. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
The paper aims to conduct an eclectic meta-perspective analysis of US-Chinese relations by applying systems dynamics and Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). It seeks to address the central research question regarding which power dynamics characterize the rivalry between the two nations and how these dynamics influence the future trajectory of their relationship.
- Power Transition Theory and Security Dilemmas in US-Chinese relations.
- The role of economic interdependence and international institutions as potential stabilizers.
- The impact of constructivist elements, specifically IR cultures and identities, on mutual perceptions.
- The application of the Chinese 'relationality' paradigm to assess interaction quality.
- Systems dynamics modeling to project future stability or destabilization trends.
Excerpt from the Book
1. INTRODUCTION
The trajectory of rising US-Chinese tensions in the past decade, their future development into an ever-increasing rivalry or potential armed clash is a dominant topic debated in “International Relations Theory (IRT)” (Mearsheimer, 2023, Nye & Wang, 2023, Yuwei, 2021, Goldstein, 2015). By selecting a particular IRT, analysts determine perceptions and optimistic/pessimistic attitudes regarding state-related interaction patterns (Friedberg, 2005).
Here, the Western IRT discourse provides hard/soft power analyses which are criticized for a) being too parsimonious and fueling confrontative self-fulfilling prophecies (realism), b) projecting its Western-centric tenets onto a different cultural context leading to interventionism (liberalism), and c) being too optimistic about changing belligerent identities (constructivism) (ibid., Acharya & Buzan, 2010). While eclectic approaches try to mitigate these shortfalls, they still omit the extant Chinese IRT, mainly revolving around relational power (Qin, 2016, Ho, 2021, Kang, 2003). In turn, the different Chinese perspectives are equally criticized for a) possessing “little” generalization potential due to their “Sino-centric” nature, b) transporting an “anti-Western” agenda, c) legitimizing China’s “political actions”, and d) assuming a benevolent/ non-confrontative Chinese actor (Ho, 2021, 56, 59).
Thus, the paper aims to add an eclectic meta-perspective to the debate by bridging the different IRTs with a systems dynamics analysis that translates/integrates the power dynamics into ‘Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs)’ (Braun, 2002, Domingo-Almase, 2017). It does so to offer an informed answer to the research question of which power dynamics characterize the US-Chinese rivalry and how they influence the future trajectory of their relations.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the ongoing academic debate regarding US-China relations and outlines the author's methodological approach using systems dynamics and Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs).
2. THE WESTERN IRT LENS: This chapter examines the US-Chinese rivalry through the three main Western theoretical perspectives: Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism.
3. THE CHINESE IRT LENS: This chapter integrates Chinese 'relationality' theory to address gaps in Western IR perspectives regarding social interaction patterns.
4. ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM DYNAMICS: This chapter synthesizes the findings to evaluate the interconnectedness of identified power dynamics and their combined impact on international stability.
5. CONCLUSION: This chapter summarizes the research findings, identifying a 'power category precedence dilemma' and projecting an amplified destabilizing trend for the future of bilateral relations.
Keywords
US-Chinese rivalry, International Relations Theory, Causal Loop Diagrams, Systems Dynamics, Power Transition Theory, Security Dilemma, Relational Power, Strategic Culture, Constructivism, Realism, Liberalism, Geopolitical Tension, Conflict Resolution, Hegemony, Stability-Instability Paradox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The publication analyzes the power dynamics underlying the rivalry between the United States and China, examining how these dynamics influence the future development of their bilateral relations.
What are the primary theoretical themes explored?
The paper evaluates Western International Relations Theories (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism) and integrates the Chinese 'relationality' paradigm to offer a more comprehensive analysis.
What is the main objective or research question?
The study aims to identify the specific power dynamics that characterize the US-Chinese rivalry and to determine how these dynamics influence the future trajectory of the relationship.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses an eclectic meta-perspective by applying systems dynamics analysis, specifically visualizing power interactions through Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs).
What topics are covered in the main section of the work?
The main section spans critical assessments of Western IR perspectives, the introduction of Chinese relational paradigms, and a system-wide evaluation of how these dynamics create reinforcing cycles of instability.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include US-Chinese rivalry, Causal Loop Diagrams, Systems Dynamics, Relational Power, Security Dilemma, and International Relations Theory.
How does the author characterize the US-China relationship's trend?
The author projects an 'amplified destabilizing' trend, arguing that viciously reinforcing cycles currently override balancing mechanisms, leading to significant risks for social order.
How does the author interpret 'relational power' in this context?
Relational power is elevated in this model as an independent variable created through interaction processes, which influences the effectiveness of relational governance and long-term stability.
What role does the 'power category precedence dilemma' play?
This dilemma describes the absence of effective relational power, which prevents both sides from constraining their coercive hard/soft power interactions, ultimately fueling further conflict.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. phil. Mathias Jahn (Autor:in), 2023, Which power dynamics characterize the US-Chinese rivalry and how do they influence its future trajectory?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1359674
