Ïîëèòîëîãèÿ / ðåãèîíàëüíûå ïîëèòè÷åñêèå ïðîöåññû
Ospanova A.N., Moldalieva
A.I., Muratova Zh.K.
ENU named after LN
Gumilev, Kazakhstan
“Soft power” in foreign
policy of modern China
The
conception of «Soft power» that appeared in China conceived its greatest
efficiency in the epoch of modern international relationships when influence of
the state on the world arena ceased to confine itself only with existence of
military capacity. After precise definition of the term «soft power» by
American professor J. Nye it was the USA that became the first state engaged in
implementation of this conception on the global scale.
The
policy of «Soft power» realized by the state at modern stage of global
development appears to be the most effective mechanism of implementation of
state interests on the world arena as it does not require major expenses,
creates a positive image of state, ensures strengthening of international
relationships.
Development
of Chinese cultural industry will promote securing of safe development and
strengthening of competitiveness of Chinese culture at international scale. In
this context the strategy of «Soft Power» implementation includes development
of «three powers» of culture: capability to attract, to influence and to
contribute to the development of other cultures. By means of international cultural actions
the Chinese government introduces its values and ideas in consciousness of
representatives of other civilizations and popularizes the symbols of Chinese
state.
By
providing a significant material and humanitarian to such countries as Central
Asia and etc. China at the same time makes long-range investments in
strengthening of its global status and in fact makes other countries dependent
on its economics and forces them to respect the interests of Chinese
government. Also through financial injections PRC gains the direct opportunity
to influence on political situation in its partner countries and, accordingly,
to provide access to the resources of these countries.
Using
the obtained for years experience of peaceful settlement of internal conflicts
China also remains faithful to the principles of peaceful coexistence on the
world arena. By conducting the relevant external policy Beijing manages to attract
significant sympathy for ideas of Chinese state and this ensures forming of
Chinese influence.
An
increasing role of China in global politics and economics as well as a capacity
of the state to influence on the system of international relationships that
became apparent in recent times now is the subject for thorough examination of
investigators throughout the world. For
a long time a so-called «hard power» based on a military and economic might of
the state remained in the focus of investigations dealing with phenomenon of «rising»
of China. A correction of foreign policy
guidelines implemented by Chinese authorities became a distinguishing
characteristic of the latest decade. This correction includes, among others,
broadening of frames of application of «soft power» oriented on achievement of
foreign-policy purposes through to obtaining the support of allies.
«Soft
power» in that form in which it was introduced by Nye also implied that only
the country with «universal» (American) values can «softly» attract supporters
and carry out legitimate internal and external policies. However subsequent
transformation of global system changed alignment of forces in the world: new
centre of power became to advance to the
foreground, including China that tends not only to save its own uniqueness but
also stands for creation of more fair system of international relationships
based on common benefit and attraction of all countries to solving of global
problems.
«Soft power», in turn, started to be
considered by PRC authorities as one of means for achievement of these
purposes. Theoretical grounds for application of «soft power» by China were
developed and a serious base for their practical implementation was prepared
with regard to this subject. Large-scale activities deployed in this respect
after coming of the fourth generation of managers gave an opportunity to China
to ensure progress with respect to increase of state's prestige on a global
arena and to smooth over negative subsequences of dissemination of «the idea of
Chinese threat» in a relatively short time. Thus examination of «soft power» of
People's Republic of China in historic retrospective review and revealing of
its peculiarities have a great theoretical significance as it allows to expand
knowledge both about «soft power» in general and about possibilities of its
application by the countries with different political systems. Examination of
Chinese experience in the area of «soft power» can be useful in the context of
its consideration in the course of development and implementation.
The appearance in the scientific
literature categories of «soft power» has stimulated the rapid growth of
research on the theoretical aspects of these issues, the most intensive and
effective development of this problem occupies the western researchers, «soft power» was first coined by Nye in 1990 in his
book «Bound to Lead: the Changing Nature of American Power», and since that
time the significance of this concept has grown dramatically, as well as the
interest in it of many scholars, for example,
M.Fraser, J.Melissen, J.Kurlantzick, J.Kynge [1]. Also, Joseph Nye, in his book «Soft
Power: the means to success in world politic» believes
that obtaining objectives via «soft power» is a more cost‐effective and peaceful approach to
international politics [2].
Other Western scholars Rothman, Steven says «soft power» appear from the
attractiveness of a country’s culture, political ideals, and policies [3]. When
the implemented policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, the «soft
power» is increased. Giulio M. Gallarotti, Professor of Government at Wesleyan
University, USA, indicate two general sources of «soft power»: international
sources that are foreign policies and actions and domestic sources (domestic
policies and actions), with multiple sub-sources within each [4]. By examining
the other countries «soft power» I should emphasis work of Ingrid d’Hooghe
critically reviews the projection of China’s «soft power» toward Europe. Meanwhile, Marshall M. Bouton and
Gregory G. Holyk reject the decline of American «soft power» in Asia by
analyzing the survey data, which show considerable evidence that American «soft
power» is quite strong: the United States remains the clear leader in Asia [5].
Kazakh experts U.Makumbaev,
M.Esimseitov argues that nowadays, China influence
successfully escalate in East Asian region [6]. According to experts observers
China had replaced USA in this region. Also, Sook Jong Lee, Jan Melissen work greatly observe
China’s influence in Asia.
According to China’s characteristic
of «soft power» Liu Yunshan noted that «the strategic position of the building
of culture in the documents of the Party’s guiding principles» underscored the «extreme
importance of building culture». Joshua
Kurlantzick argues that «When Nye coined the term soft power, he excluded
elements like investment and trade and formal diplomacy and aid – elements he
considered more concrete carrots and sticks» [7]. Several scholarly works
published in the last years contribute to an analysis of China’s ‘peaceful
rising’, for example, those in English edited in 2006 by Hunter and Guo, and those in Chinese by Yan and Jin. But
analyzing significant number of works
Russian (E.I.Safronova)
and Kazakh (Ashimbaeva M., Siroezhkin K.L., S. Sapanov, K.Zhunis, Zh.Karibzhanov,
N.Muhamedzhanuly) experts from neighboring countries see threats from China’s
‘peaceful rising’.
Thus
examination of «soft power» of People's Republic of China in historic
retrospective review and revealing of its peculiarities have a great
theoretical significance as it allows to expand knowledge both about «soft
power» in general and about possibilities of its application by the countries
with different political systems. Examination of Chinese experience in the area
of «soft power» can be useful in the context of its consideration in the course
of development and implementation.
In
conclusion,
the concept
of «Soft power» has been considered in studies of Confucius, Lao-Tzu, however,
there was no clear formulation of the concept as a theory. Ancient Chinese wise
men propagandized in their studies the principle of non-violence which is the
basic principle of «soft power». They denied aggressive wars conducting,
considering that the government of the emperor shall be carried out on the
basis of virtue and humanity.
In modern
China «soft power» concept was reflected in the strategy of Chinese guidance
which was introduced at the XVII party congress (2007) when in Hu Jintao's
report, the appeal on increase of cultural «soft» power of the state and «soft
power» in foreign policy, was sounded. «The soft power» of China finds its
continuation in ideas of social harmony, the creation of which is one of the
main national objectives in China.
Modernization of China didn't lead to
destruction of basic traditional values and foundations of society as it passed
taking into account national specifics, without copying of others experience,
on the basis of development of own way of development, that is predetermined
its success. Formation of specifically Chinese way of development is a
long-term strategy of the government which understood that only a support on
own forces and consideration of national specifics will lead reforms to
success. The Chinese experience of reforming involves a great attention to the
People's Republic of China from the world community and so it increases
attractiveness of the country on the world scene that promotes potential
development of «soft power» in the country.
The basis of the increasing regional and global
positioning of China was not only achievements of its economy as a result of
specific market reforms and active integration into the world economy. Powerful
impact on this internal and external process of innovative development is made
by the basic values of culture of the Chinese civilization which are
conceptually expressed in «soft power» concept.
One more mechanism of realization of «soft power» of
the People's Republic of China consisting on carrying out on the world scene of
the balanced policy, has the growing impact on formation of positive image of
the country. The foreign policy is also subordinated to the specified principle
of «harmony of the world». If we will look at the policy of the People's
Republic of China of the last years, actually there are no examples when
Beijing would support any actions capable of leading to emergence of new
military conflicts.
The present Chinese policy within the ideological
concept of «harmony of the world» comprises some provisions. First of all, it
is proclaimed that China always adheres to independent and self-contained
principles. Proceeding from basic interests of the Chinese people and people of
the world and real events, China develops the position and political policy on
all international issues; China is not submitted to any external pressure from
outside, and doesn't establish any strategic relations with major powers or
blocks of countries, doesn't participate in race of arms, as well as doesn't
carry out military expansion.
China also opposes hegemony and defends the world
peace. China has always maintained that all countries being not big or small,
rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community.
The resolution of conflicts between the countries is carried out by peaceful
manner; there is no need to resort to weapon and threaten each other with
force, it’s prohibited to interfere under any conditions with internal affairs
of other countries. China never imposes to other countries the social order and
ideology, and doesn't allow other countries to impose their social system and
their ideology to China.
On the world scene, at development of cooperation with
other countries, Beijing will rely on five principles of peaceful co-existence,
namely: mutual respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual
non-aggression, non-interference to internal affairs of each other, equality
and mutual benefit, peaceful co-existence.
The People's Republic of China also gives special
attention to advance of "soft power" policy that any economic or
political steps of China, especially in the countries of Asia, Latin America
and Africa, will cause positive moral and psychological effect. According to
the specified tasks it is possible to draw the following conclusions:
1.
The
«soft power» concept which arose in an extreme antiquity in China conceived the
greatest efficiency during the era of modern international relations when
influence of the state on the world scene ceased to be limited to existence of
military power. After an accurate formulation of «soft power» term by American
professor J. Nye, namely the USA became the first state, implemented the
realization of this concept on a global scale;
2.
The
«soft power» policy implemented by the state at the present stage of world
development is the most effective mechanism of realization of interests of the
country on the international scene since it doesn't demand big expenses,
creates positive image of the country, allows to strengthen the international
relations;
3.
Development
of the cultural industry of China will promote ensuring safe development and
strengthening of competitiveness of the Chinese culture at the international
level. In this context, the realization strategy of «soft power» includes development
of «three forces» of the culture: abilities to attract, influence and make a
contribution to development of other cultures. By means of cultural events of
the international scale, the Chinese government introduces the values and ideas
in consciousness of carriers of other civilizations, popularizing symbols of the
Chinese state.
4.
Rendering
essential financial, humanitarian assistance to such countries as Africa, Latin
America, etc., China thereby makes long-term investments in strengthening of
"world supremacy", actually putting into dependence other countries
on its economy and thereby making to reckon with interests of the Chinese
government.
5.
Also
by means of financial injections, the People's Republic of China directly gets
opportunity to have an impact on a political situation in partner countries
and, respectively, to have access to resources of these countries.
Beijing uses various tools to strengthen its influence
in developing countries, including economic incentives and military
cooperation; however application of "soft power" becomes an important
element. Though the economy is still a basis of relationship, increase of
cultural exchanges, distribution of academic programs, attraction of local
Chinese communities by way of qualified diplomats, have considerable impact on
the general portrait of bilateral relationships.
Thus, today it is possible to state that emergence in
the world of a new Chinese phenomenon of «soft power» which eagers to come to
the level similar to the influence of American and European «soft power». The
advantage of Chinese «soft power» is that it along with aspiration to raise a
geopolitical rating of China, it also seeks to create the harmonious not
confrontational relations with other civilizations that, certainly, promotes
strengthening of the international stability, safety and mutual understanding.
References
1
Joseph N. The paradox
of American power: why the world’s only superpower can’t go it alone. Oxford
University press. – 2002. – 240 p.
2
Joseph N. Power in the global information age: from realism to
globalization. Routledge. – 2004. - 240
p.
3
Rothman, Steven B. Revising the soft power concept: what are
the means and mechanisms of soft power? // Journal of political power. -
2011. – P. 49-64.
4
Gallarotti, Giulio M. Soft power: What it is, why it’s important,
and the conditions under which it can be effectively used. // Division
II faculty publications. - 2011. -
P.20-25.
5
Sook Jong Lee, Jan
Melissen Public
diplomacy and “soft power” in East Asia. Palgrave macmilan. - 2011. – 267 p.
6
Ìàêóìáàåâ Þ.Á.,
Åñèìñåèòîâ Ì.Ê. Âíåøíÿÿ ïîëèòèêà Êèòàÿ â XXI âåêå: íîâûå ðåàëèè ìèðîâîãî ïîðÿäêà. – Àñòàíà. – 2012. –
511ñ.
7
Jian W. Soft Power in China:
Public diplomacy through communication. Palgrave Macmillan. – 2010. – 220 p.