Research Article
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The Role of Soft Power in China's Struggle for Hegemony

Year 2022, Issue: 15, 203 - 224, 30.12.2022
https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111

Abstract

China’s political influence is growing in tandem with its economic and military might. The rise of China triggers significant changes in the regional and global order. As China’s material power increases, it poses a serious challenge to the global hegemony of the USA in almost every field. It's unclear whether China's advances in many kinds of power parameters will lead to a change in predominance. Although China has made significant progress in hard power, it has not shown the same success in soft power. This study focuses on the role of China's soft power in the struggle for global hegemony. The study aims to answer the question of how important soft power is in building hegemony. In the study, the effectiveness and limits of China's soft power are analyzed. The study argued that China's achievements in soft power are not enough for it to build a global hegemony. It is concluded that China's shortcomings in soft power are the biggest obstacle to the country's ability to build a regional and global order.

References

  • Brand Finance. “Global Soft Power Index 2020.” Brand Finance. 2020, accessed (10.01.2022), https://brandirectory.com/globalsoftpower/download/brand-finance-global-soft-power-index-2020.pdf.
  • Callahan, William A. “Identity and Security in China: The Negative Soft Power of the China Dream.” Politics, 35, (2015): 216-229. doi: 10.1111/1467-9256.12088. Carr, Edward Hallett. The twenty years’ crisis 1919-1939 an introdution to the study of international relations. London: Macmillan & Co. LTD, 1946.
  • Chu, Yun-han, Huang, Min-hua and Lu, Jie. “How East Asians View a Rising China.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 262-283, New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Cox, Robert W. “Multilateralism and World Order.” Review of international studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, (1992): 161-180.
  • Dirlik, Arif. “Yeniden Post-Sosyalizm: “Çinli Karakterli Sosyalizm”, Geçmişi ve Geleceği Üzerine Düşünceler.” Toplum ve Bilim, 119, (2010): 84-111.
  • Edney, Kingsley, Rosen, Stanley and Zhu, Ying. Soft Power with Chinese Characteristics. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Ergenç, Ceren. “Sonsöz: Xi’nin Çin’i.” In Çin Nasıl Çin Oldu? by Jonathan Clements, Translated by Cansen Mavituna, İstanbul: Metropolis Yayıncılık, (2021) : 111-125.
  • Fiori, Antonio and Rosen, Stanley. “The Sino-African Relationship an Intense and Long Embrace.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 188-206. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Gelber, Harry G. MÖ 1100’den Günümüze Çin ve Dünya Ejder ve Yabancı Deccallar. Translated by H. Hülya Kocaoluk. İstanbul: Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 2010.
  • Gill, Stephen. American Hegemony and the Trilateral Commission. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
  • Gramsci, Antonio. Hapishane Defterleri 2. Cilt, Edited by J. A. Buttigieg, Translated by Ekrem Ekici. İstanbul: Kalkedon Yayınları, 2012.
  • ———. Hapishane Defterleri 1. Cilt, Edited by J. A. Buttigieg, Translated by Ekrem Ekici, İstanbul: Kalkedon Yayınları, 2011.
  • Harting, Falk. “A Decade of Wielding Soft Power Through Confucius Institutes.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 133-147. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Jacques, Martin. Çin Hükmettiğinde Dünyayı Neler Bekliyor?. Translated by Sami Oğuz. Ankara: Akılçelen Kitaplar, 2016.
  • Kroeber, Arthur R. Çin Ekonomisi Herkesin Bilmesi Gerekenler. Translated by Mehmet Mazı. Ankara: Buzdağı Yayınevi, 2017.
  • Lai, Hongyi. “The Soft Power Concept and a Rising China.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relations, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 1-20. New York: Routledge, 2012.
  • Li, Mingjiang. “China Debates Soft Power.” Chinese Journal of International Politics, Vol.2, 28.09.2008, (2008): 287-308.
  • Lowy Institute. Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2019. By Herve Lemahieu and Bonnie Bley. Sydney: Lowy Institute, 2019.
  • Lu, Yiyi. “Challenges for China’s International Communication.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relatins, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 104-120. New York: Routledge, 2012.
  • Nye, Joseph S. Amerikan Yüzyılı Bitti Mi?. Translated by Burç Beşgül. İstanbul: Röle Akademik Yayıncılık, 2016.
  • ———. “Public Diplomacy and Soft Power.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 616 (2008): 94-109.
  • ———. Yumuşak Güç Dünya Siyasetinde Başarının Yolu. Translated by R. İnan Aydın. Ankara: Elips Kitap Yayınları, 2005.
  • ———. Soft Power the Means to Success in World Politics. New York: Public Affairs, 2004.
  • Pew. “Unfavorable Views of China Reach Historic Highs in Many Countries.” Pew Research Center. October 6, 2020. Accessed January 10, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/10/06/unfavorable-views-of-china-reach-historic-highs-in-many-countries/.
  • ———. “5 Chart on Global Views of China.” Pew Research Center. October 19, 2018. Accessed January 10, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/19/5-charts-on-global-views-of-china/.
  • Portland. The Soft Power 30 a Global Ranking of Soft Power 2018. Washington, DC.: Portland, 2018.
  • Rosen, Stanley. “Ironies of Soft Power Projection.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 63-80. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Schweller, Randall L. and Xiaoyu, Pu. “After Unipolarity: China’s Visions of International Order in an Era of US Decline.” International Security, Vol. 36, No. 1, (2011): 41-72.
  • Shambaugh, David. Çin Küreselleşme Yolunda. Translated by Latif Boyacı. İstanbul: Yarın Yayınları, 2016. The Economist. “What to do about China’s “sharp power”.” The Economist, December 14, 2017. Accessed January 5, 2022. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2017/12/14/what-to-do-about-chinas-sharp-power.
  • Volten, Peter. “Hard Power Versus Soft Power or a Balance Between the Two?” All Azimuth, V5, n2, (2016): 91-94.
  • Wallerstein, Immanuel. Dünya-Sistemleri Analizi. Translated by Ender Abadoğlu and Nuri Ersoy. İstanbul: bgst Yayınları, 2011.
  • Wu, Xinbo. “Understanding the geopolitical implications of the global financial crisis.” The Washington Quarterly. 33, (2010): 155-163.
  • Yan, Xuetong. “Yan Xuetong on Chinese realism, the Tsinghua School of International Relations, and the impossibility of harmony.” Theory Talks. November 28, 2012. Accessed January 12, 2022. http://www.theory-talks.org/2012/11/theory-talk-51.html.
  • ———. “How China can defeat America.” The New York Times. November 20, 2011. Accessed January 12, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/opinion/how-china-can-defeat-america.html.
  • ———. “The Path for China to Increase its ‘Soft Power’.” 2006. Accessed January 12, 2022. http://www.thinkinchina.asia/wp-content/uploads/3-ThePathforChinatoIncreaseitsSoftPower.pdf.
  • Zhang, Guozuo. Research Outline for China’s Cultural Soft Power. Singapore: Springer, 2017.
  • Zhang, Yiwu. “China Goes Global: Why China’s Global Cultural Strategy Needs Flexibility.” In The soft power 30. 70-74. Sdney: Portland, 2018.
  • Zhao, Suisheng. “Projection of China’s Soft Power in the New Century.” In Soft Power with Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 25-44, New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Zheng, Yongnian and Zhang, Chi. “‘Soft power’ and Chinese soft power.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relations, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 21-38. New York: Routledge, 2012.

Çin’in Hegemonya Mücadelesinde Yumuşak Gücün Rolü

Year 2022, Issue: 15, 203 - 224, 30.12.2022
https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111

Abstract

Çin’in politik etkisi ülkenin ekonomik ve askeri gücündeki yükselişle birlikte artmaktadır. Çin’in yükselişi bölgesel ve küresel düzende önemli değişimleri tetiklemektedir. Çin’in maddi güç alanındaki yükselişi, ABD’nin küresel hegemonyasına hemen her alanda ciddi bir meydan okumaya yol açmaktadır. Çin’in birçok güç parametresinde elde ettiği başarıların bir hegemonya değişimine yol açıp açmayacağı merak edilmektedir. Çin, sert güç alanında önemli ilerlemeler kaydetmesine rağmen, yumuşak güç alanında aynı başarıyı gösterememiştir. Bu çalışma, Çin’in yumuşak gücünün küresel hegemonya mücadelesindeki rolüne odaklanmaktadır. Çalışma, yumuşak gücün hegemonya inşa etmede nasıl bir önem arz ettiği sorusuna cevap vermeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada Çin’in yumuşak gücünün etkinliği ve sınırları analiz edilmektedir. Çin’in yumuşak güç alanında elde ettiği başarıların küresel bir hegemonya inşa edebilmesi için yeterli olmadığı iddia edilmektedir. Çin’in yumuşak güç alanındaki eksikliklerinin, ülkenin bölgesel ve küresel bir düzen inşa etmesinin önündeki en büyük engel olduğu sonucuna varılmaktadır.

References

  • Brand Finance. “Global Soft Power Index 2020.” Brand Finance. 2020, accessed (10.01.2022), https://brandirectory.com/globalsoftpower/download/brand-finance-global-soft-power-index-2020.pdf.
  • Callahan, William A. “Identity and Security in China: The Negative Soft Power of the China Dream.” Politics, 35, (2015): 216-229. doi: 10.1111/1467-9256.12088. Carr, Edward Hallett. The twenty years’ crisis 1919-1939 an introdution to the study of international relations. London: Macmillan & Co. LTD, 1946.
  • Chu, Yun-han, Huang, Min-hua and Lu, Jie. “How East Asians View a Rising China.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 262-283, New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Cox, Robert W. “Multilateralism and World Order.” Review of international studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, (1992): 161-180.
  • Dirlik, Arif. “Yeniden Post-Sosyalizm: “Çinli Karakterli Sosyalizm”, Geçmişi ve Geleceği Üzerine Düşünceler.” Toplum ve Bilim, 119, (2010): 84-111.
  • Edney, Kingsley, Rosen, Stanley and Zhu, Ying. Soft Power with Chinese Characteristics. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Ergenç, Ceren. “Sonsöz: Xi’nin Çin’i.” In Çin Nasıl Çin Oldu? by Jonathan Clements, Translated by Cansen Mavituna, İstanbul: Metropolis Yayıncılık, (2021) : 111-125.
  • Fiori, Antonio and Rosen, Stanley. “The Sino-African Relationship an Intense and Long Embrace.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 188-206. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Gelber, Harry G. MÖ 1100’den Günümüze Çin ve Dünya Ejder ve Yabancı Deccallar. Translated by H. Hülya Kocaoluk. İstanbul: Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 2010.
  • Gill, Stephen. American Hegemony and the Trilateral Commission. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
  • Gramsci, Antonio. Hapishane Defterleri 2. Cilt, Edited by J. A. Buttigieg, Translated by Ekrem Ekici. İstanbul: Kalkedon Yayınları, 2012.
  • ———. Hapishane Defterleri 1. Cilt, Edited by J. A. Buttigieg, Translated by Ekrem Ekici, İstanbul: Kalkedon Yayınları, 2011.
  • Harting, Falk. “A Decade of Wielding Soft Power Through Confucius Institutes.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 133-147. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Jacques, Martin. Çin Hükmettiğinde Dünyayı Neler Bekliyor?. Translated by Sami Oğuz. Ankara: Akılçelen Kitaplar, 2016.
  • Kroeber, Arthur R. Çin Ekonomisi Herkesin Bilmesi Gerekenler. Translated by Mehmet Mazı. Ankara: Buzdağı Yayınevi, 2017.
  • Lai, Hongyi. “The Soft Power Concept and a Rising China.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relations, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 1-20. New York: Routledge, 2012.
  • Li, Mingjiang. “China Debates Soft Power.” Chinese Journal of International Politics, Vol.2, 28.09.2008, (2008): 287-308.
  • Lowy Institute. Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2019. By Herve Lemahieu and Bonnie Bley. Sydney: Lowy Institute, 2019.
  • Lu, Yiyi. “Challenges for China’s International Communication.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relatins, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 104-120. New York: Routledge, 2012.
  • Nye, Joseph S. Amerikan Yüzyılı Bitti Mi?. Translated by Burç Beşgül. İstanbul: Röle Akademik Yayıncılık, 2016.
  • ———. “Public Diplomacy and Soft Power.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 616 (2008): 94-109.
  • ———. Yumuşak Güç Dünya Siyasetinde Başarının Yolu. Translated by R. İnan Aydın. Ankara: Elips Kitap Yayınları, 2005.
  • ———. Soft Power the Means to Success in World Politics. New York: Public Affairs, 2004.
  • Pew. “Unfavorable Views of China Reach Historic Highs in Many Countries.” Pew Research Center. October 6, 2020. Accessed January 10, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/10/06/unfavorable-views-of-china-reach-historic-highs-in-many-countries/.
  • ———. “5 Chart on Global Views of China.” Pew Research Center. October 19, 2018. Accessed January 10, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/19/5-charts-on-global-views-of-china/.
  • Portland. The Soft Power 30 a Global Ranking of Soft Power 2018. Washington, DC.: Portland, 2018.
  • Rosen, Stanley. “Ironies of Soft Power Projection.” In Soft Power With Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 63-80. New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Schweller, Randall L. and Xiaoyu, Pu. “After Unipolarity: China’s Visions of International Order in an Era of US Decline.” International Security, Vol. 36, No. 1, (2011): 41-72.
  • Shambaugh, David. Çin Küreselleşme Yolunda. Translated by Latif Boyacı. İstanbul: Yarın Yayınları, 2016. The Economist. “What to do about China’s “sharp power”.” The Economist, December 14, 2017. Accessed January 5, 2022. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2017/12/14/what-to-do-about-chinas-sharp-power.
  • Volten, Peter. “Hard Power Versus Soft Power or a Balance Between the Two?” All Azimuth, V5, n2, (2016): 91-94.
  • Wallerstein, Immanuel. Dünya-Sistemleri Analizi. Translated by Ender Abadoğlu and Nuri Ersoy. İstanbul: bgst Yayınları, 2011.
  • Wu, Xinbo. “Understanding the geopolitical implications of the global financial crisis.” The Washington Quarterly. 33, (2010): 155-163.
  • Yan, Xuetong. “Yan Xuetong on Chinese realism, the Tsinghua School of International Relations, and the impossibility of harmony.” Theory Talks. November 28, 2012. Accessed January 12, 2022. http://www.theory-talks.org/2012/11/theory-talk-51.html.
  • ———. “How China can defeat America.” The New York Times. November 20, 2011. Accessed January 12, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/opinion/how-china-can-defeat-america.html.
  • ———. “The Path for China to Increase its ‘Soft Power’.” 2006. Accessed January 12, 2022. http://www.thinkinchina.asia/wp-content/uploads/3-ThePathforChinatoIncreaseitsSoftPower.pdf.
  • Zhang, Guozuo. Research Outline for China’s Cultural Soft Power. Singapore: Springer, 2017.
  • Zhang, Yiwu. “China Goes Global: Why China’s Global Cultural Strategy Needs Flexibility.” In The soft power 30. 70-74. Sdney: Portland, 2018.
  • Zhao, Suisheng. “Projection of China’s Soft Power in the New Century.” In Soft Power with Chinese Characteristics, Edited by Kingsley Edney, Stanley Rosen, and Ying Zhu. 25-44, New York: Routledge, 2020.
  • Zheng, Yongnian and Zhang, Chi. “‘Soft power’ and Chinese soft power.” In China’s Soft Power and International Relations, Edited by Hongyi Lai, Yiyi Lu. 21-38. New York: Routledge, 2012.
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Zekeriyya Akdağ 0000-0002-0866-603X

Early Pub Date December 30, 2022
Publication Date December 30, 2022
Submission Date March 1, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2022 Issue: 15

Cite

APA Akdağ, Z. (2022). The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi(15), 203-224. https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111
AMA Akdağ Z. The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony. JOSOC. December 2022;(15):203-224. doi:10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111
Chicago Akdağ, Zekeriyya. “The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony”. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 15 (December 2022): 203-24. https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111.
EndNote Akdağ Z (December 1, 2022) The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 15 203–224.
IEEE Z. Akdağ, “The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony”, JOSOC, no. 15, pp. 203–224, December 2022, doi: 10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111.
ISNAD Akdağ, Zekeriyya. “The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony”. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 15 (December 2022), 203-224. https://doi.org/10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111.
JAMA Akdağ Z. The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony. JOSOC. 2022;:203–224.
MLA Akdağ, Zekeriyya. “The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony”. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, no. 15, 2022, pp. 203-24, doi:10.32739/uskudarsbd.8.15.111.
Vancouver Akdağ Z. The Role of Soft Power in China’s Struggle for Hegemony. JOSOC. 2022(15):203-24.

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