Power and Restraint in China's Rise

Power and Restraint in Chinas Rise challenges the assumptions of international relations theory by arguing that a rising powers aspirations for acceptance provide a key rationale for refraining from coercive measures. Chin-Hao Huang analyzes Chinese foreign policy conduct in the South China Sea and develops new theoretical perspectives on why great powers eschew coercion in favor of restraint when they seek legitimacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Honorable Mention,2024 T.V. Paul Best Book in Global International Relations,Global International Relations Section,International Studies Association

Conventional wisdom suggests that China's rise is causing unpredictable disruptions to the global balance of power. However, China has often shown a willingness to defer to the consensus of smaller neighboring countries on regional security issues rather than imposing its will. This essay explores the reasons behind China's restraint and how it challenges the assumptions of international relations theory.

In his book "Power and Restraint in China's Rise," Chin-Hao Huang argues that a rising power's desire for acceptance provides a significant rationale for refraining from coercive measures. He analyzes Chinese foreign policy conduct in the South China Sea, highlighting how complying with regional norms and accepting constraints improves China's external perception and advances other states' recognition of China as a legitimate power. Huang demonstrates how member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have taken a collective approach to defusing tension in maritime disputes, incentivizing China to support regional security initiatives that it had previously resisted.

Drawing on this empirical analysis, Huang develops new theoretical perspectives on why great powers prefer restraint to coercion when seeking legitimacy. His framework explains how a dominant state with rising ambitions takes the views and interests of small states into account, as well as how collective action can influence a major power's behavior. This book offers valuable insights into the causes and consequences of recent changes in Chinese foreign policy, with significant implications for future engagement with China.

In conclusion, while China's rise has undoubtedly caused disruptions to the global balance of power, its willingness to exercise restraint and seek consensus with smaller neighboring countries suggests a more nuanced approach to international relations. By understanding the factors driving China's behavior, we can better navigate the complex dynamics of the international system and work towards a more stable and peaceful future.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231204644