Charm offensive: how China's soft power is transforming the world
01 May 2008-
About: The article was published on 2008-05-01 and is currently open access. It has received 406 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Charm (quantum number) & Offensive.
Citations
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TL;DR: The authors argue that the concept of strategic narrative gives us intellectual purchase on the complexities of international politics today, especially in regard to how influence works in a new media environment, and that the study of media and war would benefit from more attention being paid to strategic narratives.
Abstract: Soft power in its current, widely understood form has become a straitjacket for those trying to understand power and communication in international affairs. Analyses of soft power overwhelmingly focus on soft power ‘assets’ or capabilities and how to wield them, not how influence does or does not take place. It has become a catch-all term that has lost explanatory power, just as hard power once did. The authors argue that the concept of strategic narrative gives us intellectual purchase on the complexities of international politics today, especially in regard to how influence works in a new media environment. They believe that the study of media and war would benefit from more attention being paid to strategic narratives.
246 citations
Cites background from "Charm offensive: how China's soft p..."
...In the past decade, a major state without a soft power strategy, in practice if not in name, has become the exception (Hall, 2012; Hall and Smith, 2013; Kurlantzick, 2007; Tharoor, 2012; Tsygankov, 2005)....
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Book•
15 Jul 2008
TL;DR: This paper surveys the consequences of China's investment in Africa, concluding that China is engaged in a "scramble for Africa" and that we are now on the brink of a new Chinese imperialism.
Abstract: Chinese-African relations became an issue of increasing importance leading up to the 2006 China-Africa Summit in Beijing. Nevertheless, academics and policymakers have largely neglected China's expanding relationship with Africa. Scholars have yet to explore the concrete ways in which Chinese actors operate in different parts of Africa, and developmental policy advisors have yet to take the political dynamics and implications of this involvement into consideration when forming policy. China Returns to Africa addresses key issues in contemporary Chinese-African relations, examining the impact of this relationship in issues of diplomacy, trade, and development. Beginning with the assertion that China is engaged in a "scramble for Africa" and that we are now on the brink of a "new Chinese imperialism," the essays in this volume transcend narrow, media-driven concerns and offer one of the first far-ranging surveys of the consequences of China's investment in Africa.
240 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make the following predictions: rising powers are moderate reformers that seek greater influence within existing forums and also attempt to safeguard their policy-making autonomy, even if their preferences change, the translation of growing economic weight into usable capabilities is not automatic.
Abstract: Economic convergence of the large emerging economies (Brazil, China and India) on the incumbent industrialized economic powers has produced divergent predictions: rising powers are viewed as challengers of existing global governance or nascent supporters of the status quo. The preferences of rising powers, as revealed in global economic negotiations and international security regimes, indicate that they are moderate reformers that seek greater influence within existing forums and also attempt to safeguard their policy-making autonomy. Even if their preferences change, the translation of growing economic weight into usable capabilities is not automatic. Domestic political constraints often make the mobilization of capabilities difficult in international bargaining. Strategies of collective action, whether South-South or regional, have not yet produced a consistent increase in bargaining power at the global level. The counter-strategies of delay and cooptation implemented by the incumbent powers have maintained incumbent influence and enhanced the legitimacy of existing global governance institutions. Risks of conflict remain along three negotiating divides: system friction, distributional conflict and institutional efficiency. Institutional innovations such as greater transparency, institutional flexibility and construction of informal transnational networks may provide modest insurance against a weakening of global governance and its institutions.
209 citations
Cites background from "Charm offensive: how China's soft p..."
...And yet China has not only established itself as an effective actor in, and supporter of, multilateral institutions in a way that stands in conspicuous contrast with the Bush administration, it is also becoming associated with an alternative model of development that resonates powerfully with some states in Asia, Africa and Latin America (Kurlantzick, 2007; Ramo, 2004)....
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...…supporter of, multilateral institutions in a way that stands in conspicuous contrast with the Bush administration, it is also becoming associated with an alternative model of development that resonates powerfully with some states in Asia, Africa and Latin America (Kurlantzick, 2007; Ramo, 2004)....
[...]
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how states are increasingly using sports mega-events as part of their soft power strategies and how the UK, with a very different international image to Germany prior to 2006,engages in a different manner in its'soft power' strategy.
Abstract: Research Highlights and AbstractThe article discusses how states are increasingly using sports mega-events as part of their ‘soft power’ strategiesThe limited literature on ‘soft power’ and sports mega-events fails to either explain the concept and how it pertains to sport or provide examples that operationalize the concept empirically.Further research can build on the idea of sports mega-events being used for public diplomacy; the case of Germany, it could be argued, has led many ‘emerging’ states to seek to bid for and host such events.We show how the UK—with a very different international image to Germany prior to 2006—engage in a different manner in its ‘soft power’ strategy.Finally, the macro-level concept of ‘soft power’ offers at least a partial answer to the unanswered question (in the sports studies literature) of why states host sports ‘megas’.The potential positive impact on a nation's image has moved from being a welcome consequence to a significant justification for investing in hosting sport...
182 citations
Dissertation•
25 Mar 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a list of the salient features of a discussion of moral discuté in the context of the ReVUE of LittérATURE and CADRE THEORIQUE.
Abstract: ....................................................................................................................... III TABLE DES MATIÈRES .................................................................................................... V LISTE DES SIGLES ......................................................................................................... VII REMERCIEMENTS .......................................................................................................... IX INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 CHAPITRE I : REVUE DE LITTÉRATURE ET CADRE THEORIQUE ..................... 11 1. 1. REVUE DE LITTÉRATURE ............................................................................................. 14 1.1. 1. La lutte contre l’impunité : un impératif moral discuté ........................................ 14 1. 1. 2. Téléologique et utilitariste .............................................................................. 15 1. 1. 3. Fonctionnaliste et instrumentaliste ................................................................. 17 1. 1. 4. Culturaliste et historique ................................................................................ 23 1. 2. CADRE THÉORIQUE ..................................................................................................... 31 1. 2. 1. Dignité humaine et principe de dignité ............................................................... 31 1. 2. 2. Impératif moral hypothétique, impératif moral catégorique ................................ 38 1. 2. 3. Morale et éthique, déontologisme et conséquentialisme...................................... 42 1. 2. 4. Lutter contre l’impunité : une définition ............................................................. 49 1. 2. 5. La sanction et la morale ..................................................................................... 68 1. 2. 6. Lutter contre l’impunité : une idée consubstantielle du système international ..... 75 1. 2. 7. Lutter contre l’impunité : lutte morale et contractualisation socio-politique du principe de dignité ......................................................................................................... 81 1. 2. 8. Droit et morale, éthique, kantisme : une relation étroite ...................................... 95 1. 2. 9. Droit(s) : questions et enjeux théoriques ............................................................. 98 1. 2. 10. Le droit : du discours commun aux questions et enjeux théoriques ................. 100 1. 2. 11. Le droit : une question (de) politique et de domination ................................... 106 1. 2. 12. Le droit : une question d’attribution de signification objective et d’interprétation authentique .................................................................................................................. 109
151 citations
Cites background from "Charm offensive: how China's soft p..."
...134 réputationnelle, la stigmatisation, la marginalisation, les mises en accusation morales, entre autres choses (Badie 2005; Colonomos 2004; Badie 2005; Nye 2004, 2008, 2005; Nye et Donahue 2000; Huchet 2013; Kurlantzick 2007; d’Almeida 2007; La Balme 2005)....
[...]
References
More filters
TL;DR: The authors argue that the concept of strategic narrative gives us intellectual purchase on the complexities of international politics today, especially in regard to how influence works in a new media environment, and that the study of media and war would benefit from more attention being paid to strategic narratives.
Abstract: Soft power in its current, widely understood form has become a straitjacket for those trying to understand power and communication in international affairs. Analyses of soft power overwhelmingly focus on soft power ‘assets’ or capabilities and how to wield them, not how influence does or does not take place. It has become a catch-all term that has lost explanatory power, just as hard power once did. The authors argue that the concept of strategic narrative gives us intellectual purchase on the complexities of international politics today, especially in regard to how influence works in a new media environment. They believe that the study of media and war would benefit from more attention being paid to strategic narratives.
246 citations
Book•
15 Jul 2008
TL;DR: This paper surveys the consequences of China's investment in Africa, concluding that China is engaged in a "scramble for Africa" and that we are now on the brink of a new Chinese imperialism.
Abstract: Chinese-African relations became an issue of increasing importance leading up to the 2006 China-Africa Summit in Beijing. Nevertheless, academics and policymakers have largely neglected China's expanding relationship with Africa. Scholars have yet to explore the concrete ways in which Chinese actors operate in different parts of Africa, and developmental policy advisors have yet to take the political dynamics and implications of this involvement into consideration when forming policy. China Returns to Africa addresses key issues in contemporary Chinese-African relations, examining the impact of this relationship in issues of diplomacy, trade, and development. Beginning with the assertion that China is engaged in a "scramble for Africa" and that we are now on the brink of a "new Chinese imperialism," the essays in this volume transcend narrow, media-driven concerns and offer one of the first far-ranging surveys of the consequences of China's investment in Africa.
240 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make the following predictions: rising powers are moderate reformers that seek greater influence within existing forums and also attempt to safeguard their policy-making autonomy, even if their preferences change, the translation of growing economic weight into usable capabilities is not automatic.
Abstract: Economic convergence of the large emerging economies (Brazil, China and India) on the incumbent industrialized economic powers has produced divergent predictions: rising powers are viewed as challengers of existing global governance or nascent supporters of the status quo. The preferences of rising powers, as revealed in global economic negotiations and international security regimes, indicate that they are moderate reformers that seek greater influence within existing forums and also attempt to safeguard their policy-making autonomy. Even if their preferences change, the translation of growing economic weight into usable capabilities is not automatic. Domestic political constraints often make the mobilization of capabilities difficult in international bargaining. Strategies of collective action, whether South-South or regional, have not yet produced a consistent increase in bargaining power at the global level. The counter-strategies of delay and cooptation implemented by the incumbent powers have maintained incumbent influence and enhanced the legitimacy of existing global governance institutions. Risks of conflict remain along three negotiating divides: system friction, distributional conflict and institutional efficiency. Institutional innovations such as greater transparency, institutional flexibility and construction of informal transnational networks may provide modest insurance against a weakening of global governance and its institutions.
209 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how states are increasingly using sports mega-events as part of their soft power strategies and how the UK, with a very different international image to Germany prior to 2006,engages in a different manner in its'soft power' strategy.
Abstract: Research Highlights and AbstractThe article discusses how states are increasingly using sports mega-events as part of their ‘soft power’ strategiesThe limited literature on ‘soft power’ and sports mega-events fails to either explain the concept and how it pertains to sport or provide examples that operationalize the concept empirically.Further research can build on the idea of sports mega-events being used for public diplomacy; the case of Germany, it could be argued, has led many ‘emerging’ states to seek to bid for and host such events.We show how the UK—with a very different international image to Germany prior to 2006—engage in a different manner in its ‘soft power’ strategy.Finally, the macro-level concept of ‘soft power’ offers at least a partial answer to the unanswered question (in the sports studies literature) of why states host sports ‘megas’.The potential positive impact on a nation's image has moved from being a welcome consequence to a significant justification for investing in hosting sport...
182 citations
Dissertation•
25 Mar 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a list of the salient features of a discussion of moral discuté in the context of the ReVUE of LittérATURE and CADRE THEORIQUE.
Abstract: ....................................................................................................................... III TABLE DES MATIÈRES .................................................................................................... V LISTE DES SIGLES ......................................................................................................... VII REMERCIEMENTS .......................................................................................................... IX INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 CHAPITRE I : REVUE DE LITTÉRATURE ET CADRE THEORIQUE ..................... 11 1. 1. REVUE DE LITTÉRATURE ............................................................................................. 14 1.1. 1. La lutte contre l’impunité : un impératif moral discuté ........................................ 14 1. 1. 2. Téléologique et utilitariste .............................................................................. 15 1. 1. 3. Fonctionnaliste et instrumentaliste ................................................................. 17 1. 1. 4. Culturaliste et historique ................................................................................ 23 1. 2. CADRE THÉORIQUE ..................................................................................................... 31 1. 2. 1. Dignité humaine et principe de dignité ............................................................... 31 1. 2. 2. Impératif moral hypothétique, impératif moral catégorique ................................ 38 1. 2. 3. Morale et éthique, déontologisme et conséquentialisme...................................... 42 1. 2. 4. Lutter contre l’impunité : une définition ............................................................. 49 1. 2. 5. La sanction et la morale ..................................................................................... 68 1. 2. 6. Lutter contre l’impunité : une idée consubstantielle du système international ..... 75 1. 2. 7. Lutter contre l’impunité : lutte morale et contractualisation socio-politique du principe de dignité ......................................................................................................... 81 1. 2. 8. Droit et morale, éthique, kantisme : une relation étroite ...................................... 95 1. 2. 9. Droit(s) : questions et enjeux théoriques ............................................................. 98 1. 2. 10. Le droit : du discours commun aux questions et enjeux théoriques ................. 100 1. 2. 11. Le droit : une question (de) politique et de domination ................................... 106 1. 2. 12. Le droit : une question d’attribution de signification objective et d’interprétation authentique .................................................................................................................. 109
151 citations