The Past Serving the Present: Yan Xuetong’s Theory of Moral Realism and the Future of the Global Order

3254
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2017-61-11-76-84
S. Krivokhizh (skrivokhizh@hse.ru),
National Research University Higher School of Economics (Saint Petersburg), 16, Souyza Pechatnikov Str., Saint Petersburg 190121, Russian Federation;
E. Soboleva (edsoboleva@hse.ru),
National Research University Higher School of Economics (Saint Petersburg), 16, Souyza Pechatnikov Str., Saint Petersburg 190121, Russian Federation

Abstract. Recently Chinese IR scholars have been debating the need to create their own original theory of international relations, which is traditionally dominated by Western scholars. One of the key contributors to the ongoing debate is Yan Xuetong, the professor of Tsinghua University. In 2005 he started a research project, which aim was to enrich international relations with non-Western thought and historical experience. He analyzed Chinese classical texts from the Pre-Qin era and evaluated their applicability to the analysis of modern international relations. In 2014 he formulated the theory of moral realism, which combined main assumptions of realism with new concepts derived from the ancient Chinese thought. The main goal of the theory and related research questions is to provide an alternative explanation of China’s rise and the future of the world order. In this article, the authors analyse the key concepts of the theory presented in different publications of Yan Xuetong: morality, political strength, power, types of leadership and types of major power. The key concept of the theory is morality, which is borrowed from the ancient Chinese philosophy. Moral behaviour in domestic and international politics increases strength and comprehensive power of a state on the international arena, while moral qualities of the major power shape the world order and determine international stability. The authors examine practical recommendations built upon the moral realism theory that Yan Xuetong gives to the Chinese leadership. From a scientific point of view, the theory is criticized for the lack of clear definitions, for contradictions and biases, but it is valuable because it reflects the thinking of major Chinese intellectuals. 

Keywords: international relations theory, moral realism, Yan Xuetong, Chinese foreign policy 


REFERENCES

1. Wang S. To “Fall in Line” or to “Grab”: Thoughts on the Indigenization of Political Science. Journal of Chinese Political Science, 2011, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 299-322. DOI:10.1007/s11366-011-9154-2

2. 任晓, 走自主发展之路-争论中的”中国学派”国际关系学, 国际政治研究, 2009, no. 2, pp. 15-28. [Ren Xiao. Walking Our Own Development Path: Debating the “Chinese School” of International Relations. International Politics Quarterly, 2009, no. 2, pp. 15-28 (In Chin.)]

3. 秦亚青, 国际关系理论中国学派生成的可能和必然, 世界经济与政治, 2006, no. 3, pp. 7-14. [Qin Yaqing. The Possibility and Necessity of a Chinese School of International Relations Theory. World Economics and Politics, 2006, no. 3, pp. 7-13 (In Chin.)]

4. 王逸舟, 中国国际关系研究 1995–2005, 北京大学出版社, 2006. 545 p. [Wang Yizhou. IR Studies in China 1995–2005. Beijing University Press, 2006. 545 p. (In Chin.)]

5. 阎学通, 国际关系理论是普适性的, 世界经济与政治, 2006, no. 2, p. 1. [Yan Xuetong. IR Theory Is Universal. World Economy and Politics, 2006, no. 2, p. 1 (In Chin.)]

6. Acharya A., Buzan B., eds. Non-Western International Relations Theory: Perspectives on and beyond Asia. Routledge, London, UK, 2010. 256 p.

7. Callahan W.A. China and the Globalisation of IR Theory: Discussion of Building International Relations Theory with Chinese Characteristics. Journal of Contemporary China, 2001, vol. 10, no. 26, pp. 75-88. DOI:10.1080/10670560123916

8. Cunnigham-Cross L., Callahan W.A. Ancient Chinese Power, Modern Chinese Thought. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 2011, no. 4(4), pp. 349-374. DOI:10.1093/cjip/por018

9. Shambaugh D. International Relations Studies in China: History, Trends, and Prospects. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 2011, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 339-372. DOI:10.1093/irap/lcr013

10. Zhang R., Korolev A. Teoriya mezhdunarodnyh otnoshenii s kitaiskoi specifikoi: sovremennoe sostoyanie i tendencii razvitiya [Theory of International Relations with Chinese Characteristics: Modern Condition and Development Trends]. Problemy Dal’nego Vostoka, 2010, no. 3, pp. 96-119.

11. Voskresenskii A.D. Mirovoe kompleksnoe regionovedenie i perspektivy postroeniya nezapadnoi (kitaizirovannoi) teorii mezhdunarodnykh otnoshenii [World Complex Area Studies and Perspectives of Development of Non-Western Theory of International Relations]. Polis. Political Studies, 2003, no. 6, pp. 82-96.

12. Grachikov E. Mezhdunarodnye otnosheniya v sovremennom Kitae: institutsionalizatsiya distsipliny [International Relations in Modern China: Institutionalization of the Discipline]. International Trends, 2016, no. 4 (12), pp. 49-85.

13. 中国关于新安全观的立场文件 [China’s Position Paper on the New Security Concept (In Chin.)] Available at: http://www.mfa.gov.cn/chn//pds/ziliao/tytj/t4549.htm (accessed 24.01.2017).

14. 阎学通, 道义现实主义的国际关系理论, 国际问题研究, 2014, no. 5, pp. 102-127. [Yan Xuetong. Theory of International Relations of Moral Realism. International Studies, 2014, no. 5, pp. 102-127 (In Chin.)] Available at: http://www.ciis.org.cn/gyzz/2014-10/15/content_7296665.htm (accessed 24.01.2017).

15. 阎学通, 世界权利的转移:政治领导与战略竞争, 北京大学出版社, 2015. 284 p. [Yan Xuetong. The Transition of World Power: Political Leadership and Strategic Competition. Beijing University Press, 2015. 284 p. (In Chin.)]

16. Yan X. Pre-Qin Philosophy and China’s Rise Today. Yan X. Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power. Bell D.A., Sun Zh., eds. New Jearsey, Princeton University Press, 2011, pp. 199-222.

17. Yan X. Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power. Bell D.A., Sun Zh., eds. New Jearsey, Princeton University Press, 2011. 300 p.

18. Feng Z. The Tsinghua Approach and the Inception of Chinese Theories of International Relations. The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 2011, no. 5(1), pp. 73-102. DOI:10.1093/cjip/por015

19. Lu X. A Realist Scholar Clinging to Scientific Prediction. Yan X. Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power. Bell D.A., Sun Zh., eds. New Jearsey, Princeton University Press, 2011, pp. 240-246.

20. Yan X. Xunzi’s Interstate Political Philosophy and Its Message for Today. Yan X. Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power. Bell D.A., Sun Zh., eds. New Jearsey, Princeton University Press, 2011, pp. 70-106.

21. Yan X., Huang Y. Hegemony in The Stratagems of the Warring States. Yan X. Ancient Chinese Thought, Modern Chinese Power. Bell D.A., Sun Zh., eds. New Jearsey, Princeton University Press, 2011, pp. 107-146.

22. Yan X. New Values for New International Norms. China International Studies, 2013, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 15-28.

23. Yan X. The Shift of the World Centre and its Impact on the Change of the International System. East Asia, 2013, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 217-235. DOI:10.1007/s12140-013-9192-9

24. Yan X. Political Leadership and Power Redistribution. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 2016, no. 9, pp. 1-26. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/cjip/pow002

25. Yan X. From Keeping a Low Profile to Striving for Achievement. The Chinese Journal of International Relations. 2014, no. 7 (2), pp. 153-184. DOI:10.1093/cjip/pou027 


Registered in System SCIENCE INDEX

For citation:
Krivokhizh S., Soboleva E. The Past Serving the Present: Yan Xuetong’s Theory of Moral Realism and the Future of the Global Order. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2017, vol. 61, no. 11, pp. 76-84. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2017-61-11-76-84



Comments (0)

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2024, vol. 68, No. 3
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • Bretton Woods 2.0: Towards a New Global Financial Architecture
  • Transformation of the EU Political Party System on the Eve of the 2024 European Election
  • South Asia in Regional and World Politics
Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.