Rise of Middle Powers Highlighted by Chinese Scholar, Signaling Shifts in International Relations Theory
In the heart of Astana, a fascinating conversation unfolded as Professor Yan Xuetong, a leading Chinese political scholar, took the stage. Known for his theory of moral realism, Yan offered insights on the role of middle powers in a shifting global landscape.
A distinguished professor at Tsinghua University, Yan is a pioneer of moral realism, a framework that views leadership values and decision-making as the core of foreign policy. His lecture, organized by the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations and the Qalam multimedia project, echoed in a packed auditorium.
Yan argued that with major powers stepping back, it's time for middle powers, like Kazakhstan, to step up and spearhead subregional integration. "When there's no leader, regional powers must create regional markets and cooperation frameworks," he said, positioning Kazakhstan as a key player in Central Asia.
He placed China-Kazakhstan relations on a pedestal amid China's ties in Central Asia, stating, "If China wants to deepen regional integration in Central Asia, it'll have to rely on Kazakhstan."
During his talk, Yan delved into the gaps between mainstream international relations theories, such as constructivism, liberalism, and realism. He criticized constructivism for assuming a forward-moving trajectory of history, which, he argued, contradicts recent developments like growing nationalism and the retreat from globalization.
Yan also questioned the assumptions of liberalism and realism, arguing that leaders’ moral character and prioritization of personal or regime interests significantly shape foreign policy.
So, what is moral realism? Yan explained that it's a theory that centers on national leaders and their values. He emphasized that even when nations pursue similar strategic goals, their approaches can vary depending on each leader's moral framework. He referenced this phenomenon as "strategic preference."
Yan also discussed the importance of moral leaders who align personal goals with national interests and their contrast with immoral leaders who prioritize regime survival or personal gain. According to him, most traditional international relations theories assume moral leaders are the norm, but in reality, that might just be an assumption. He shed light on regimes that isolate themselves despite clear benefits from global engagement.
In Yan's view, counter-globalization has been driven by political leadership, not structural or institutional forces. He argued that globalization, which emerged following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been met with resistance, and that resistance grew in the 2010s as governments began withdrawing support, leading to de-globalization.
As the world navigates turbulent waters, Yan's moral realism theory provides a fresh perspective that illustrates the important role leaders play in shaping global politics. [1][2][3]
[1] Yan Xuetong’s theory redefines traditional realist frameworks by emphasizing leaders' moral character and motivations as critical factors in foreign policy decisions. [Source: Enrichment Data]
[2] Yan’s framework likely interprets China’s counter-hegemonic strategies as efforts to reshape global norms, reflecting a blend of moral intent and power calculations. [Source: Enrichment Data]
[3] Yan’s recent collaboration in "Debating Moral Realism" further positions this theory as a bridge between Western and Chinese IR scholarship. [Source: Enrichment Data]
- Professor Yan Xuetong, a renowned Chinese political scholar, highlighted the significance of middle powers like Kazakhstan stepping up to lead subregional integration, given the retreat of major powers.
- In his lecture, Yan argued that China-Kazakhstan relations are crucial for China's regional integration efforts in Central Asia.
- Yan's moral realism theory challenges mainstream international relations theories by focusing on the role of leaders' moral character in shaping foreign policy decisions.
- The professor criticized constructivism, liberalism, and realism for their assumptions about the role of leaders and the trajectory of history, arguing that these theories often underestimate the impact of immoral leaders and resistance to global engagement.
- Yan's moral realism theory positions leaders as key players in shaping global politics, providing a fresh perspective for the world navigating turbulent waters. [Sources: 1, 2, 3]
