The Shifting Sands of Global Order: Insights from a Rising Generation of IR Scholars
The international landscape is undergoing a period of profound transformation. A weakened liberal order, coupled with the rise of new powers and a resurgence of civilizational thinking, demands a fresh perspective. Recent interviews with early-career scholars, like Constanza Jorquera, offer valuable insights into these shifts and potential future trajectories.
China’s Geopolitical Imagination: Beyond the Westphalian Model
Traditional analyses of international relations often apply Western-centric frameworks. However, Jorquera’s research highlights the importance of understanding China’s own intellectual traditions – Tianxia and Confucian legacies – to decipher its Indo-Pacific strategy. These concepts emphasize harmony, mutual benefit, and reciprocal relations, a stark contrast to the competitive dynamics often seen in Western policy. Applying Western standards to analyze China risks misinterpreting its motivations and actions.
This isn’t simply about historical influence. it’s about a fundamentally different worldview. China seeks a “harmonious and secure ecosystem” to achieve its modernization goals, prioritizing stability and interconnectedness. This approach is evident in initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to build infrastructure and economic ties across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The Indo-Pacific: Reshaping, Not Just Resisting
The Indo-Pacific region is a focal point of strategic competition. Initiatives like AUKUS and the Quad are designed to balance against China’s growing influence. However, Jorquera suggests that China’s ability to reshape, rather than simply resist, the Indo-Pacific order will be determined by several key indicators over the next few years.
These include capitalizing on the lack of a comprehensive economic framework in the region, strengthening existing partnerships like BRICS+ and RCEP, and actively engaging India through cooperative agreements. Offering incentives – financial, technological, and military – to countries seeking to diversify their relationships could also prove crucial. The perceived decline in US strategic vision, particularly compared to the Obama and Biden administrations’ attempts to “pivot to Asia,” presents an opportunity for China.
Pro Tip:
Understanding the nuances of regional dynamics is crucial. A one-size-fits-all approach to foreign policy is unlikely to succeed in the increasingly complex Indo-Pacific.
Soft Power and the Korean Wave
Soft power – the ability to influence through attraction rather than coercion – is an increasingly key tool in international relations. Jorquera’s research on “K-Diplomacy” and the global reach of Hallyu (the Korean Wave) demonstrates South Korea’s success in leveraging its cultural exports to enhance its international influence, particularly in Latin America.
However, she cautions against conflating attractiveness with actual power. While cultural appreciation can foster mutual understanding, it doesn’t necessarily translate into geopolitical leverage. South Korea’s soft power, despite its popularity, hasn’t resolved critical security dilemmas on the Korean peninsula.
The Future of Feminist Foreign Policy
Despite a global retreat of progressive agendas, Jorquera remains optimistic about the potential of feminist foreign policy. However, she emphasizes the need to move beyond institutional rhetoric and establish clear indicators to monitor progress. A shared understanding of definitions is also essential.
She argues that feminist foreign policy requires a strong multilateral system, focusing on normative influence, operational commitment, and multilateral innovation. This includes ensuring financing, transparency, and accountability, as well as fostering collaboration between governments and civil society. Raising awareness about gender imbalances and embedding a gender perspective in all aspects of foreign policy are also critical.
Navigating Uncertainty: The Role of International Studies
Jorquera’s current research focuses on the evolution of internationalist thought in Korea and Chile, exploring their shared concerns about autonomy and the need for adaptable foreign policies. She also continues to investigate Chinese thought in international relations, seeking to understand what Chinese philosophy offers for global leadership.
This reflects a broader trend: a growing recognition that understanding diverse perspectives is essential for navigating an increasingly uncertain world. The role of academics, as Jorquera emphasizes, is to equip students with the tools to critically analyze and engage with these complexities.
Did you know?
The University of Santiago, Chile (USACH) was the first institution in Chile to offer an undergraduate program in International Studies.
FAQ
Q: What is Tianxia?
A: Tianxia is a Chinese philosophical concept envisioning a harmonious world order based on inclusivity and mutual benefit.
Q: What is K-Diplomacy?
A: K-Diplomacy refers to South Korea’s strategy of leveraging its cultural exports, like K-pop and K-dramas, to enhance its international influence.
Q: Why is understanding China’s intellectual traditions important?
A: Applying Western-centric frameworks to analyze China can lead to misinterpretations of its motivations and actions.
Q: What are the key indicators for China’s success in the Indo-Pacific?
A: Strengthening economic partnerships, engaging India, and offering incentives to diversify relationships are crucial indicators.
Q: What is the biggest challenge for feminist foreign policy?
A: Establishing clear indicators to monitor progress and ensuring a shared understanding of definitions.
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