Hierarchy in Asian International Relations

1300-1900

Bibliographic Data

ID12741983
AuthorsDavid C Kang (0000-0002-5685-3841, Dartmouth Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume1
Issue1
Pages53-79
Publication date2005-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsian Security (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1479-9855 • E-ISSN: 1555-2467
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14799850490928717
OpenAlexW2054380228
LanguageEN
Citations received13

Scholars in the field of international relations tend to treat the contemporary Asian system as if it emerged fully formed from nothingness in the post-World War II and post-colonial era. This essay explores a major historical epoch—the Asian international system from 1300 to 1900. During that time, the Asian international system was both intensive and extensive, in both interactions and relations between Asian states. Thus, understanding and incorporating this system into our theories of international relations is critical. To date, scholars have rarely described the main features of this system. In this article, I attempt such a task, and will also draw implications for mainstream international relations theories. In short, the research in this essay reveals that the historical Asian international system was stable and hierarchic in nature. The main theoretical finding is an alternative to the balancing proposition. That is, the findings in this article present a major empirical challenge to the argument that balance of power is a recurrent phenomenon across time and geography. Furthermore, this article shows that hierarchy may be more stable than balancing as an organizing principle in international relations

Argument (complex analysis · Economics · Epistemology · Hierarchy · International relations · International relations theory · Mainstream · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Power (physics · Proposition · Social science · Sociology · Asian Studies and History · Law

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