China-Russia Strategic Alignment in International Politics

This book develops a framework to measure and explain the development of strategic alignment in post-Cold War China-Russia relations, finding that it has been moving towards a full-fledged alliance and has strong structural incentives for furthering the alignment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

The post-Cold War China-Russia strategic cooperation has witnessed a remarkable evolution and has assumed an increasingly significant role in contemporary international politics. Nevertheless, a comprehensive framework and corresponding measurements to accurately assess the extent of China-Russia alignment and its progression over time have yet to be established. The question of how closely aligned China and Russia are and how to define and measure strategic alignments between states remains a crucial inquiry. This book seeks to bridge the gap between area studies and International Relations literature by developing a set of objective criteria to measure and explain the development of strategic alignment in post-Cold War China-Russia relations.

China-Russia Strategic Alignment in International Politics establishes that, based on a range of criteria, China-Russia alignment has been moving towards a full-fledged alliance, exhibiting a consistent incremental upward trend. Strong structural incentives exist for further strengthening the China-Russia alignment. The alignment framework developed in this book is applicable to other cases of interstate strategic cooperation and facilitates systematic comparisons of different strategic alignments.

The book begins by examining the historical background and contextual factors that have shaped the China-Russia relationship. It then introduces the theoretical framework for analyzing strategic alignment, which draws upon insights from both area studies and International Relations literature. The framework encompasses three dimensions: political, economic, and security. Each dimension is assessed using a set of objective criteria, such as shared interests, cooperative behaviors, and mutual perceptions.

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of China-Russia alignment across these three dimensions. It examines the extent to which China and Russia share common interests, cooperate in various areas, and perceive each other as allies or rivals. It also explores the factors that have influenced the evolution of China-Russia alignment, including historical legacies, geopolitical competition, and domestic political dynamics.

The book concludes by offering several policy recommendations for managing and promoting China-Russia alignment. It emphasizes the importance of building trust, enhancing communication, and addressing common challenges such as regional security and trade. It also suggests that policymakers should consider the potential risks and benefits of different strategic alignments and adopt a nuanced approach that balances competing interests and promotes stability in the international system.

In conclusion, China-Russia Strategic Alignment in International Politics provides a valuable contribution to the study of interstate strategic cooperation and offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing and explaining the development of strategic alignment in post-Cold War China-Russia relations. By bridging the gap between area studies and International Relations literature, the book provides a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of China-Russia relations and their implications for global politics.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463725248