Chinese Concepts and Relational International Politics

Authors : Emilian KAVALSKİ

Pages : 87-102

Doi:10.20991/allazimuth.325784

View : 12 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2017-07-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The rise of China troubles the taken-for-granted epistemological and ontological constitution of International Relations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IR); theory. The Greek term ‘theoria’ implied travelling to foreign locales with the aim of gaining illumination that can then simultaneously inform and transform the ‘home’ of the traveler. Yet, instead of travelling, IR theory engages in silencing. This paper undertakes an interpretative journey of China’s IR concepts. In particular, it looks at the notion of guanxi – one of the two terms that goes into the Chinese phrase for International Relations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(guoji guanxi);. The contention is that ‘relationality’ renders a more accurate translation of guanxi in English. In the process, the paper uncovers the practices of ‘international relationality’ as an opportunity to redefine the ‘international’ as a co-dependent space where two or more actors insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(despite their divergences); can interface into a dialogical community.
Keywords : Guanxi, relationality, post Western International Relations, Chinese International Relations, relational International Relations