China’s Rise and Rethinking International Relations Theory (Bristol Studies in East Asian International Relations)

Bringing together leading scholars from Asia and the West, this book investigates how the dynamics of China’s rise in world politics contributes to theory-building in international relations (IR). The book demonstrates how the complex and transformative nature of China’s advancement is also a point of departure for theoretical innovation and reflection in IR more broadly. In doing so, the book builds a strong case for a genuinely global and post-Western IR. It contends that ‘non-Western’ countries should not only be considered potential sources of knowledge production, but also original and legitimate focuses of international relations theorizing in their own right. Front Cover Series page China's Rise and Rethinking International Relations Theory Copyright information Table of contents List of abbreviations Notes on Contributors Acknowledgments Part I Theorizing China’s Rise: Beyond Eurocentric Knowledge Production 1 Putting China in the World: From Universal Theory to Contextual Theorizing Introduction ‘Familiar’ analogies and the limited geographic origins of IR theory The making and the travels of dominant IR theory What China can do for IR theorizing Chinese IR narratives The politics of the IR narratives Conclusion References 2 Heart and Soul for World Politics: Advaita Monism and Daoist Trialectics in International Relations Introduction China’s rise: implications for IR Critique Advaita monism and Daoist trialectics: connectedness and compassion Advaita monism Darsana Dharma Ayurveda Daoist trialectics Non-duality with duality Advaitic-Daoist IR: a pool of multiple worlds China’s rise reappraised Conclusion: what is next? Acknowledgements References 3 What Can Guanxi International Relations Be About? Introduction Guanxi: what’s in a name? What might we guanxi about in IR? Guanxi’s harmonious respect for the other Guanxi’s logic of relationships Guanxi’s community of practice Conclusion: what is ‘post-Western’ about post-Western IR? Acknowledgements References 4 Friendly Rise? China, the West and the Ontology of Relations Introduction Remembering friendship: ancient and modern International Relations and the ‘ontology of things’ International Relations and the ‘ontology of relations’: Qin, Berenskötter and Ling Qin: guanxi (关系) and dialectics Berenskötter: friendship and anxiety Ling: the intimacy of ‘self and other’, and the possibility of multiple worlds Conclusion: rediscovering friendship in international relations Acknowledgements References 5 Re-Worlding the ‘West’ in Post-Western International Relations: The ‘Theory Migrant’ of Tianxia in the Anglosphere Introduction A post-Western genealogy of Tianxia Interpretations of Tianxia by contemporary Chinese scholars The reception of ‘Tianxia’ in the Anglosphere: exoticization and denial The reception of Tianxia in the Anglosphere: collusion and absorption Conclusion Acknowledgements References Part II Theorizing China’s Rise: Critical Reflection on Mainstream Frameworks 6 China in the International Order: A Contributor or a Challenger? What is ‘China’? What is ‘international order’? Power distribution and rules of the game Contemporary power distribution: one, two, three and multi Rules of the game: continuity and adjustment China’s general attitudes towards the international order Differentiated positions on the ‘rules of the game’ ‘Co-evolution’: responding to disorder by strengthening order References 7 China’s Rise in English School Perspective Introduction China in English School perspective China in the normative structure of a deep pluralist GIS Obsolete institutions Classical ‘Westphalian’ institutions Newer institutions Emerging/contested institutions ‘Chinese characteristics’ as challenges for English School theory Hierarchy ‘Face’ Conclusions Strengths Weaknesses Acknowledgements References 8 Deconstructing the Established Westphalian Architecture in Light of China’s Rise Introduction Asia as a hybrid space for theorization China’s rise as a precondition for the Eastphalian idea Recognizing Eastphalian ideas Chinese resistance and exchangeable behaviours: four mechanisms Conclusion Acknowledgements References 9 Sino-capitalism’s Dialectical Processes and International Relations Theory The changing China debate and IR theory The dialectical logic of Sino-capitalism Sino-capitalism in the global system Conclusion: enriching IR theory with dialectical perspectives References 10 China’s Rise as Holographic Transition: A Relational Challenge to International Relations’ Newtonian Ontology Introduction The Newtonian ontology in IR and its discontents The promise of a holographic relational ontology What’s in a part? Introducing a holographic relational ontology International relations as holographic relations: implications for theorizing and methodology China’s rise as holographic transition China in the world and the world in China A holographic critique of mainstream International Relations theorizing of China’s rise Conclusion Acknowledgements References Epilogue: Towards International Relations beyond Binaries Introduction Key themes Encountering China’s rise Pluralizing the practices of IR theory Engaging the relationality of global life Projecting the future trajectories of China’s rise Conclusion References Index Back Cover Front Cover -- Series Page -- China's Rise And Rethinking International Relations Theory -- Copyright Information -- Table Of Contents -- List Of Abbreviations -- Notes On Contributors -- Acknowledgments -- Part I Theorizing China's Rise: Beyond Eurocentric Knowledge Production -- 1 Putting China In The World: From Universal Theory To Contextual Theorizing -- Introduction -- 'familiar' Analogies And The Limited Geographic Origins Of Ir Theory -- The Making And The Travels Of Dominant Ir Theory -- What China Can Do For Ir Theorizing -- Chinese Ir Narratives -- The Politics Of The Ir Narratives Conclusion -- References -- 2 Heart And Soul For World Politics: Advaita Monism And Daoist Trialectics In International Relations -- Introduction -- China's Rise: Implications For Ir -- Critique -- Advaita Monism And Daoist Trialectics: Connectedness And Compassion -- Advaita Monism -- Darsana -- Dharma -- Ayurveda -- Daoist Trialectics -- Non-duality With Duality -- Advaitic-daoist Ir: A Pool Of Multiple Worlds -- China's Rise Reappraised -- Conclusion: What Is Next? -- Acknowledgements -- References -- 3 What Can Guanxi International Relations Be About? -- Introduction Berenskötter: Friendship And Anxiety -- Ling: The Intimacy Of 'self And Other', And The Possibility Of Multiple Worlds -- Conclusion: Rediscovering Friendship In International Relations -- Acknowledgements -- References -- 5 Re-worlding The 'west' In Post-western International Relations: The 'theory Migrant' Of Tianxia In The Anglosphere -- Introduction -- A Post-western Genealogy Of Tianxia -- Interpretations Of Tianxia By Contemporary Chinese Scholars -- The Reception Of 'tianxia' In The Anglosphere: Exoticization And Denial The Reception Of Tianxia In The Anglosphere: Collusion And Absorption -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Part Ii Theorizing China's Rise: Critical Reflection On Mainstream Frameworks -- 6 China In The International Order: A Contributor Or A Challenger? -- What Is 'china'? -- What Is 'international Order'? -- Power Distribution And Rules Of The Game -- Contemporary Power Distribution: One, Two, Three And Multi -- Rules Of The Game: Continuity And Adjustment -- China's General Attitudes Towards The International Order -- Differentiated Positions On The 'rules Of The Game' 'co-evolution': Responding To Disorder By Strengthening Order. Electronic Reproduction. Baltimore, Md Available Via World Wide Web. Guanxi: What's In A Name-- What Might We Guanxi About In Ir-- Guanxi's Harmonious Respect For The Other -- Guanxi's Logic Of Relationships -- Guanxi's Community Of Practice -- Conclusion: What Is 'post-western' About Post-western Ir-- Acknowledgements -- References -- 4 Friendly Risechina, The West And The Ontology Of Relations -- Introduction -- Remembering Friendship: Ancient And Modern -- International Relations And The 'ontology Of Things' -- International Relations And The 'ontology Of Relations': Qin, Berenskötter And Ling -- Qin: Guanxi (关系) And Dialectics "Bringing together leading scholars from Asia and the West, this book investigates how the dynamics of China’s rise in world politics contributes to theory-building in International Relations (IR). The book demonstrates how the complex and transformative nature of China’s advancement is also a point of departure for theoretical innovation and reflection in IR more broadly. In doing so, the volume builds a strong case for a genuinely global and post-Western IR. It contends that ‘non-Western’ countries should not only be considered potential sources of knowledge production, but also original and legitimate focuses of IR theorizing in their own right."-- Provided by publisher