Abstract
Due to China’s assertive diplomacy in maritime space, nationalism, de-scribed as an element of a “newly assertive China”, arouses concern among Americans. With Donald Trump, who caters to both the far left and the far right, becoming the 45th US president, China-US relations have entered a period of historic uncertainty. There has been speculation that nationalism is rising in both China and the United States, which will have a profound effect on bilateral relations. Does nationalism play an essential role in China-US relations? In order to respond to this question, this essay explains the different meanings of democracy in China and the United States, and then analyzes these two different kinds of democracy how to influence the nationalism of those two countries. This essay also clarifies the relationship between nationalism and interests. We can find that international politics is inseparable from domestic politics. China’s nationalism tends to be a political appeal from top leaders to the public, which can be guided by power. Although Chinese nationalism may play a small role in bilateral diplomatic activities, Chinese foreign policy is interest-oriented. By comparison, checks and balances are a cornerstone of the power structure in America. Even with “uncertain Trump” as the leader of America, policy making in the US will not materially change a lot. Thus, we find that interests, China’s party-state system, checks and balances in America make both sides prudent and rational, and nationalism cannot play a decisive role in China-US relations.
Highlights
Does nationalism play an essential role in China-US relations? In order to respond to this question, this essay explains the different meanings of democracy in China and the United States, and analyzes these two different kinds of democracy how to influence the nationalism of those two countries
We find that interests, China’s party-state system, checks and balances in America make both sides prudent and rational, and nationalism cannot play a decisive role in China-US relations
Nationalism is a lively surface, international relations are about prudence
Summary
Due to China’s assertive diplomacy in maritime space and the military, nationalism, described as an element of a “newly assertive China”, has aroused con-. The theoretical and case research of western scholars on Chinese nationalism has an important effect on the US domestic opinion about China’s Peaceful Development. “Resurgent nationalism” is a frequently discussed topic that has been used by some scholars to analyze the making of state diplomacy. This article provides a framework for understanding how nationalism affects international relations and shows that sweeping claims that nationalism will change China-US relations are deeply misguided. I summarize four research paradigms of nationalism: primordialism, modernism, ethnosymbolism and postmodernism These nationalist research paradigms are useful in understanding the nationalism of both China and America. In analyzing Chinese nationalism, I start with the analytical framework of realism and show that China’s nationalism tends to be a political appeal from top leaders to the public, which can be guided by power. Applying the theory of institutionalism, I believe that political system construction is necessary for China to avoid escalating conflict with its neighbors and the US
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