What is National Interest? Flashcards
Define What National Interest is:
National Interest: Outlines the goals or objectives of foreign policy and is used as an all-embracing concept to justify policy preferences and actions. National Interests commonly guide the interaction that occurs between states on the International Stage.
Alt-D: The national interest is a country’s goals and ambitions; whether economic, military, or cultural. The concept is an important one in international relations where pursuit of the national interest is the foundation for world politics.
Theory: Realism; an international relations theory which claims that world politics is driven by competitive self-interest.
Describe the Nature of National Interest:
- They commonly guide and justify a state’s policies
- Consequently, are used as a tool to identify the goals or objectives of foreign policy.
- Has come to represent the entire rationale for the exercise of state power in International Relations
- Change over time, depending on i) the political grouping of the governing party
ii) the changing needs of the state
iii) and external events.
- At the root of national interest is the principle of national security and survival of the state; a state’s primary interest is its survival; all other policies are subordinate.
- Beyond territorial security/survival, the core objectives of a state are to ensure their economic strength and political independence.
- Are wide ranging
- Can be both long term and more immediate
- Are primarily planned, but should be able to adapt in reaction to events; they should also be flexible and versatile.
- National Interests cover many issues.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Economic Factors?
It is widely believed that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will become the world’s next superpower.
Is the Second largest economy in the World.
In 2010, overtook Germany to become world’s largest exporter.
Economic Growth averaged 9.3% between 1989 and 2010.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Diplomatic Factors?
This economic power is is matched with a seat on the UNSC and recently expanded voting power and influence in the IMF.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Military Factors?
China has stepped up its military modernisation and capabilities in the last five to ten years.
Confirms that China intends to contest the US air and maritime supremacy in the Western pacific.
Reveals China’s military and political ambition.
In 2011, announced the construction of an aircraft carrier; intended to expand military fleet.
In 2008, military spending for that year increased 18% to A$63.6billion annually.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Social factors”?
The continued peace and strength of China’s rise is not guaranteed.
Mounting internal problems are challenging the power and authority of the state.
These social problems are having a dramatic impact on the social cohesion of the state.
Separatism: The evidence of the activity of separatist groups; the spring 2008 riots in Lhasa and summer 2009 riots in Urumqi.
Environment: Contains 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the World.
Poverty: 150 million people live on less than $1 per day.
Unrest: The number of ‘crises of public opinion’ or mass incidents rose from 10,000 in 1994 to 74,000 in 2014; 13% of all complaints are related to pollution.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
-Secession and Territorial Integrity
Secession and Territorial Integrity
Claims for independence within China have emerged
Population of 1.3 billion.
An area of 9.5 million km2.
8.1% of the population, 100million, are not Han-Chinese-CIA World Fact Book.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
-Economic Development
Growth has been the result of an opening up of the economy to market forces.
China is now shaping the changing the dynamics of global supply and demand and is leading the shift towards a globalised society.
Economic development is one facet or factor contributing towards the development of a harmonious society-President Hu Jintao 2005.
The CIA forecasts that by 2050, China’s economy will surpass that of the US.
Growth rate average of 10% (2008)
Second Largest Trader—total trade in 2007 was US2.1 trillion.
“China will unswervingly pursue a basic policy of opening up to the rest of the World and will further pursue our economic…cooperation with the rest of the world.”-President Hu
China has pursued the above achievement through:
> Joining the WTO in 2002
>allowing private ownership of homes in 2004
> passing legislation to permit FDI
> Dropping tariffs from 56% in 1982 to 11% in 2003
>Authorisation of a $586 billion stimulus package over 2 years; 16% of annual GDP.
>Reformed banking sector.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
-Economic Development
Issues for Economic Development: ??
- Disparity in Wealth
i) 150million are in poverty; living on less than $1 a day.
ii) The richest 10% of the populace wield 45% of the wealth
X) However, 135 million did escape the poverty line between 999 and 2004; indicating significant poverty reduction. - A lack of transparency in the Chinese political system and accusations of massive Government corruption
i) Costs Chinese economy $86billion annually
ii) “one of the most serious threats to future stability”. - The one child policy that is resulting in a rapidly ageing population
i) 70% of the elderly are financially dependent on their offspring
ii) “Endless pool of workers is drying up”. - Environmental Issues such as Air Pollution, Soil Erosion and Desertification
i) World Bank estimates environmental issues to be responsible for 750,000 premature deaths annually
ii) 70% of the 2million cancer deaths a year are pollution related
iii) Coal consumption (2/3rds of energy consumption) contributed to sulphur dioxide emissions—causing acid rain to fall over 30% of the country.
- Rising Unemployment
From 2006-2015, 24 million new jobs will have to be created in the cities each year to satisfy demand.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
–Economic Development
Factors affecting Economic Development:
The sustained achievement of economic development is cantered on China’s successful rise of potential economic POWER, diplomacy and cooperation in multilateral forums.
- China’s internal affairs do affect its external gains (economic gains) and therefore the successful pursuit of its national interests.
i) The manner in which Biejing seeks to resolve the Uighur issue will impact on its economic development. - If the PRC is seen to be aggressive, then it opens the issue of further external influence.
i) in 2009 when the Turkish Forign Minister called for a boycott of Chinese goods in response to the Xinjiang riots in Urumqi. - China’s reliance on FDI makes its economic development even more reliant on favourable relations with other states.
i) in 2002, it was the destination for 10% of GLOBAL investment; foreign trade is 75% of its GDP).
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
-Creation of a Harmonious Society
Increasing social tensions within China led the communist party, at the 17th annual Chinese Party Congress, to declare that it seeks to build a harmonious society by 2020.
Economic development has resulted in significant social dissent and unrest which threatens to derail the government and its autonomy.
The Chinese people have shown themselves to be increasingly willing to protest over these issues.
PM Wen reiterated the Government’s commitment to the creation of a harmonious society when he declared in January 2011:“The Government must create conditions that allow citizens to criticise and supervise the government, and enable government to responsibly resolve the problems and difficulties of the masses”. PM WEN
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
-Creation of a Harmonious Society
Issues?
Inadequate Social Security and Welfare System
- Health care has become unaffordable for most citizens and a there is a significant lack of mental healthcare.
- Chinese Government spends 4.6% of its GDP on Health Services.
- National Spending on Education of 2% of GDP in 2006 is below the 4.1% average for developing countries.
Government Seizure of Land
- Land seizure is a source of increasing discontent within the state.
- Land confiscation increased by 17.3% in 2006, reaching 131,000 cases, of 100,000 hectares of land.
- 1,5million Beijing residents were evicted to allow 2008 Commonwealth games.|
Inflation
- Citizens are becoming angered at continuing escalation of prices.
- Inflation hit 34month high in June 2011, where consumer prices rose 5.5% in May and food prices rising 11.7%.
Increasingly vocal public outrage
-While the Chinse Government has been seen to rally nationalist passions at times, eruptions of nationalist passion concern the regime: worried that one day this mob could potentially turn on them.
- Environmental Pollution
- Secessionist Claims
- Within inner Mongolia, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang
- Unemployment
- Unequal Development
- Official Corruption
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Peaceful Rise 1?
China’s growing influence in the global arena can be witnesses in Washington’s moves to contain China’s burgeoning power; China has already achieved several prerequisites of ‘superpower-dom’, in that it has a permanent seat on the UNSC and is an acknowledged superpower.
1 Beijing has tried to change its image of a threatening outsider to that of a good neighbour; Beijing has adopted a position of actively trying to cultivate friendly relations with its neighbours and other powers.
11 While a factor in China’s development, the importance of a peaceful rise in terms of its national interest is disputable, contentious and potentially subordinate to others; A number of Beijing’s recent actions call into question just how important the achievement of its aim relative to the achievement of its other national interests.
111 The international standing of China has also been threatened by continued concerns over its human rights record; 2011 saw the toughest crackdown in more than a decade following the apprehension in Beijing that the revolutions in the Middle East may encourage dissent; All newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations in China are government-owned.
1V There are varying perceptions of China’s regional role; While it is acknowledged that its economic growth has brought rewards to the region, there are concerns over its militarisation and support for ‘pariah’/authoritarian regimes of North Korea and Burma.
Outline the Background that has determined China’s National interests:
Peaceful Rise 2? Aspects?
1 Demonstration of Peaceful Rise and Good Neighbour
- Leaders have strengthened their leadership role in the region.
- PRC has become involved in international institutions and practices/forums/engagement in order to shape a regional order that suits/in accordance with its National interests. Also as a means of gaining influence on World Politics.
- The PRC also does not want to appear too soft to avoid encouraging separatists.
11 Actions questioning the importance of a peaceful rise
A) In July 2008, China vetoed a US resolution imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe, following the condemned re-election of Mugabe.
B) China hindered intervention in Darfur, Sudan, protecting the Khartoum government which is accused of committing genocide. 10% of all oil into China now comes from Sudan and Beijing has invested over $15billion into the state since 1996.
C) China abstained from the UNSC vote on Libya in 2011 allowing military intervention. China vetoed the Syria resolutions.
111 Human rights record
A) High profile artist and political campaigner Ai Wei Wei was imprisoned on tax evasion charged.
B) Government censorship of the internet.
C) Following the July 2009 riots in Urumqi, Xinjiang residents were limited to sending 20 text messages per day and restricted in accessing a few government authorised websites.
D) 2010 Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index ranked China 171 from 178 states in terms of press-freedom.
IV Regional Role: Questioned by Militarisation and Support of Pariah Regimes
A) The 2011 announcement of the construction of an aircraft carrier will fundamentally change the balance of power in the region:
i) Especially in regards to the defence of Taiwan
ii) and the ongoing sovereignty dispute over control of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
B) Beijing’s long term support to Pyongyang (where China received 61% of North Korean exports) and refusal to condemn the 2010 sinking of the South Korean Warship ROKS Cheon and subsequent shelling of South Korean territory have further IRKED the international community and raised concerns over its role in the region.
