Beyond dependency: the promise of Confucianism in Post-Westphalia International relations

Ricky Wai-Kay Yue

doi:10.1186/s40728-014-0010-6

Ricky Wai-Kay Yue

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40728-014-0010-6

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Abstract

The landscape of post-colonial development is marked by deepening dependency of the developing states on the core states consisted mainly of western developed countries. The continuous widening of the north–south divide is not surprising given that the discourse on international relations has been dominated by western ideologies of realism, liberalism and constructivism, resulting in an insufficient attempt to examine international relations from a non-Westphalian perspective. Through the implementation of the Washington Consensus, developing countries are being forced to follow the development model of liberal democracy designed by the West, for the benefit of the West. This paper attempts to investigate an alternative approach from a Chinese historical structural perspective. By highlighting the key tenets of Confucianism, this paper aims to contribute towards a non-Western international relations discourse that is based on moral values. Attempts by China to provide assistance to the “poor south” are marred by accusations of neo-colonialism. In order to fulfil its great power responsibility, China needs to incorporate these Confucian values into its Beijing Consensus so that the global south can abandon their dependency on the West and truly set the stage for south-south cooperation.

Highlights

The concept of sovereign state emerged from Europe after the end of the Thirty Years’ War and the Westphalian Peace in 1648
Based on the foundations laid down in the Bandung Conference, this paper argues that the virtues prescribed by Confucianism hold the key to unify the South, to set a path for south-south cooperation that leads to genuine development of these countries
Whereas realism leads to hegemony, liberalism causes interdependency, and constructivism encourages regionalism, Confucianism promotes a harmonious world under an asymmetrical system crafted out of mutual respect (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

The concept of sovereign state emerged from Europe after the end of the Thirty Years’ War and the Westphalian Peace in 1648. With the rapid transformation of China’s economic fortunes, China has the potential to be the flag carrier for a new Bandung initiative. Claiming the moral high ground, the West set the structure of the global financial system, which is regulated by the West, to reinforce the doctrine of liberal democracy at the expense of creating dependency in the developing world. If the failure of Bandung was attributed to a lack of leadership, could the rise of China present a second coming of Bandung to unite the global south and free them from western dependency?. In the 19th Century many western powers colonized countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia in order to secure raw materials and open up new markets.

Central Southern and North Countries

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Conclusion