SOCIALIZATION THROUGH INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS? DECODING CHINA’S VIEWS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS SINCE ITS WTO ACCESSION

Abstract

Constructivism in the studies of international relations (IR) posits that international institutions have the power to induce a state’s socialization into the norms and rules enshrined in these institutions. The study puts this hypothesis to an empirical test by analyzing China’s views on intellectual property rights (IPR) since its WTO (World Trade Organization) accession in 2001. The article examines relevant People’s Daily commentary articles published from 2001 to 2022 using Structural Topic Model (STM) and domestic scholarly debates. The study identifies four prevalent themes, including IPRs and international competition, strengthening IPR protection, developing indigenous IPRs, and achievements and barriers in IPR development. It finds that although China has increasingly realized the importance of IPRs, China’s views on IPRs are predominantly oriented toward a realpolitik discourse on leveraging IPRs to enhance China’s overall national power in international competition. While socialization is at best subordinate to China’s domestic interests in shaping China’s views on IPRs, as the country’s worldview acts as a strong mediating force between international ideas and China’s views on IPRs.