Chinese Scholars View the World (Volume on International Order)

Author: Wang Jisi, Chief Editor; Qin Yaqing, Sub-series Editor
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Order is a fundamental element of society, and without order, it is difficult to form a society. Therefore, when we discuss international order, the international society is clearly a concept closely related to it. However, since the establishment of the Westphalian system, anarchy has gradually been regarded as the basic characteristic that distinguishes international politics from domestic politics, separating international order from society. The domestic system is a hierarchical system. The international system is an anarchic system; the domestic system is an ordered system, while the international system is a jungle system. These views are prominent in Western concepts of international order. The thinking of contemporary Chinese scholars on international order has also been influenced by this trend of thought. Traditional Chinese worldview lacks the concept of anarchy. The traditional Chinese worldview is what is known as the "view of all under heaven," which is based on hierarchy and does not distinguish between the international and domestic political spheres based on anarchic characteristics.