AOS2 Flashcards
National Interest
National interest refers to the goals/ambitions of a state that are pursued to ensure survival and potential growth of the state
Security
Security traditionally refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power
Idealism
Idealism refers to a school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations
Pragmatism
Pragmatism refers to a school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by a practical consideration as opposed to an ideological principle
National Security
National security refers to a national interest of a state to maintain its sovereignty
National Security measurement of success
-The degree to which territorial integrity is maintained
-Internal national security is also considered
- environmental and cybersecurity are other metrics to be considered
National security factor #1
Ideology:
- Aspects of Xi Jinping thought influence China’s approach to national security
1)”Complete national reunification”
- Shapes approach to Taiwan and threats against national security
2) Follow one-china policy
- shapes approach to Taiwan
National Security Factor #2
Technology:
- recently, with advancements in technology, how china considers its national security priority has changed
- for example, with advancements in technology, the shape of the PLA has changed (as China begins to consider cybersecurity as a part of its national security)
- PLA unit 61486 is a PLA unit dedicated to cyberattacks, illustrating how China’s national security interests have been shaped by advancements in technology
Case Study: Censorship of the internet (Success)
Technology: Advancements in technology, particularly internet technology has threatened China’s internal security by means of facilitating dissent and the spread of information
Ideology: Xi Jinping thought expresses desire to improve party discipline within the CCP, and the advent of internet technology could potentially threaten this
How National Security is challenged:
- Internet can pose undesirable political influence in China, potentially threatening internal security
- through the internet, Chinese citizens can be exposed to external political influence, potentially contravening the social order and compromise internal stability
- the internet in a ‘vehicle of dissent’ in China’s eyes
Actions taken:
- 2 million Chinese government officials were tasked with managing and controlling the content on the internet
- The “great firewall of china” is the Chinese governments censorship system that seeks to minimise potential threats of inline political influence that could threaten national stability
- facebook whastapp instagram youtube and google are all banned in China
Pragmatism/idealism:
- China is mainly motivated by a pragmatic concern; that the internet poses threats to internal stability and the legitimacy of the Chinese Government
Case Study: Umbrella Movement (challenge)
Factors shaping national interest:
- historical links: british control hong kong has influenced region to desire democracy
- ideology: differentiation between more Western capitalist views in Hong Kong and Chinese authoritarian and “socialism with Chinese Characteristics”
How national security is challenged:
-After Hong Kong passed a law to allow Beijing to select three canditates for the general election (removing democracy which forms a part of “one country to systems” approach)
- In response, in 2014, Umbrella movement began, with mass protests of over 100,000 in HongKong, protesting Beijing’s encroachment
Actions:
- Beijing ordered a crackdown on protests (28,000 HK police officers)
- Beijing also called the protests illegal and against the rule of law
Pragmatism/idealism:
- China is primarily driven by a desire for stability in Xi JInping’s rule - objecting ideologically to democracy
National Interests #2
Economic Prosperity
Meaning of economic prosperity
Economic prosperity related to a state’s pursuit of wealth and improving the welfare of its citizens through strengthening its economy
Factor Shaping economic prosperity #1
State formation: China has a population of 1.4 billion, requiring significant production and income
Case Study: Chafta (China pursuing economic prosperity)
Factors shaping national interest:
-State formation: China lacks the natural resources to fuel its manufacturing, and must rely on Australia for natural resources
Actions Take:
- ChAFTA is a bilateral free trade agreement between China and Australia signed in 2015
Provisions include
- 95% of Australia’s exports to China are tariff free
- Liberalisation of market access for Australia’s service sector
-5,000 visas granted to Chinese nationals
- in 2021 china reimposed tariffs on Australia exports, which can be observed as due to Australia’s criticisms of China’s human rights abuses
Pragmatism/Idealism:
- Pragmatism: original deal motivated by practical considerations of China’s need for Australian exports for its economic prosperity
- Idealism: However, the reimposition of tariffs was motivated by ideological considerations of opposing ideologically Australia’s criticisms of it, while sacrificing some of its economic interests
Hard power
Hard power refers to power exercised through inventive or coercion to influence the actions of other global actors
