DISCUSSION

Question 1

What are the differences between the tributary system and contemporary international relations?

Answer 1

1. Basic ideology / principle - Sinocentrism // Universal human rights / liberty, equality, sovereignty
2. Function - maintain supremacy of Chinese emperor, centrality of Chinese culture // ensure equitable outcomes for all member states
3. Membership - all countries / dynasties of the world theoretic tribute / culturally homogenous states // fulfil membership criteria based on charter or preamble of the institution, for EU it is liberal democracy and open market, for UN it is rule of law, equality (economic, social, political, civil etc.), peace loving and committed to internal peace and security
4. Aim - legitimise authority of Chinese Emperor as one that rules all under the sun, regional peace and security, access to strategic materials and exotic jewels // ensure achievement of set goals and objectives as per charter or founding documents
5. Outcomes - regional peace, trade opportunities, public goods // state-dependent / case to case developmental funding, technical expertise, knowledge transfer and support for development

Question 2

What are the differences between China’s Self-Strengthening Movement and Japan’s Meiji Restoration? What factors caused those differences?

Question 3

Why did Japan and European powers invade China and encroach China’s sovereignty on the one hand, but support political movements in China aimed at modernizing and or democratizing Chinese political systems and eventually strengthening China’s international standing on the other hand?

Answer 3

1. Openness to trade and economic benefits
2. Ideological premise
3. Saving on governance costs (size, language, culture)
4. Treaty ports system - change domestic politics without incurring governance costs and ^dependency on Western powers
5. Modernization - Western concept, Japan’s Meiji restoration - prevent invasion by foreign powers

Question 4

To what extent does the Japanese logic of “liberating Asian people from Western colonization” hold true?

Question 5

Why did Mao choose to lean towards the Soviet side in the Cold War?

Question 6

Why did the Soviet Union oppose the CCP to take over the entirety of China?

Answer 6

1. Manchuria
2. Mao’s independence - “nationalist” Stalin
3. Mediatory role between divided China and- KMT, CCP
4. Soviet influence - KMT support thought Comintern
5. Sino-Soviet rivalry
6. Avoiding war with U.S.

Question 7

Why did South Korea abandon the “One Korea” policy (Hallstein Doctrine) while North Korea (~1990s) continued to adhere to the policy?

Answer 7

1. Economic growth
2. End of Cold War - normalise relations with former Communist Bloc countries
3. Sunshine Policy
4. NK’s isolation - legitimacy of regime - few allies ~China
5. Ideological control - NK “Juche”
6. Diplomacy - recognising SK regime = undermining reunification of Korea

Question 8

Why did the ROC (~2000s) and the PRC (~present day), still insist on “One China” policy?

Answer 8

1. History
   2, Ideology - Nationalism (Western) / Communism (Confucian) - Sovereignty + territorial unity
2. Diplomatic recognition - undermining regime
3. Ongoing conflict - Taiwan Strait (Kinmen - U.S. offshore island no authority)
4. Trade, economics - preventing isolationism (ROC), economic and strategic interests in preventing independence (PRC)