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Introduction

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China’s Grand Strategy

Abstract

This introductory chapter familiarizes the reader with the topic of the (re-)rise of China and surveys the recent debate on China’s grand strategy. Additionally, it highlights some of the theory that the study uses, such as the concept of grand strategy or Richard Ned Lebow’s focus on the cultural driver of honor. It provides information about the research question and methodology used, as well as the chapter framework.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See, for example, Pant (2011), Malik (2011), Huisken (2010), Fenby (2008).

  2. 2.

    This is contrary to the belief of some realists that a theory of realism may be applied through time and space, and without any regard for cultural values, norms, or beliefs. See, for instance, Waltz (2010 [1979]), or Mearsheimer (2003).

  3. 3.

    See Lebow (2009), pp. 43ff.

  4. 4.

    That is so, if one subscribes to the belief that China’s grand strategy is in fact changing from one to another, as Yan Xuetong argues. I do not subscribe to this.

  5. 5.

    While this definition is broad, the research design with the case studies are going to select singular, most salient events of grand strategy manifestations which stay within this broad definition, however, representing narrow parts of it. In this way, the research becomes more feasible.

  6. 6.

    For the flexibility and definition of the concept of national interest, see Rosenau (1968), Hill (2013), or Clinton (1994), among others. Since this book subscribes to using the inherently realist concept of grand strategy , it also subscribes to a realist understanding of national interest as universally being security and survival of the nation-state. That does not mean that grand strategy goals cannot be different from country to country.

  7. 7.

    That is, if one subscribes to the belief that China’s grand strategy is in fact changing from one to another, as Yan Xuetong argues. I do not subscribe to the notion of a transformation of China’s grand strategy but, rather, to the peculiarity of its basic incoherence.

  8. 8.

    See Papasotiriou (1992). For further reading on grand strategy , see, for instance, Brands (2014), Dueck (2006), Freyberg-Inan et al. (2009), Kapstein and Mastaduno (1999), Kay (2015), Layne (2009), Lobell (2003), Lobell et al. (2009), Mahnken (2012), Taliaferro et al. (2013), or Taylor (2010).

  9. 9.

    See Lebow (2009), pp. 43–164, and pp. 505–570.

  10. 10.

    See Hyer (2015).

  11. 11.

    See Buzan (2014) and Roy (2014).

  12. 12.

    See Qin (2014).

  13. 13.

    See Yan (2014).

  14. 14.

    See Wang and Chen (2012).

  15. 15.

    For more information on case study methodology, see Eckstein (1975), George and Bennett (2005), Kohli et al. (1995), Lijphart (1971), or Van Evera (1997).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA

    Lukas K. Danner

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  1. Lukas K. Danner
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Danner, L.K. (2018). Introduction. In: China’s Grand Strategy . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65777-6_1

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