How Hierarchic Was the Historical East Asian System?

Feng Zhang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Hierarchy is becoming a central topic in recent International Relations scholarship, and the historical East Asian hierarchy offers an important case study. This article provides a first-cut analysis of the degree variation in regional hierarchy. It distinguishes three levels of Chinese hierarchy in China's relationships with Korea, Japan and the Mongols in 'early modern' East Asia (1368-1800). Regional relations during this period were on the whole more hierarchic than anarchic, but anarchy was also impressive in each of the relationships during certain periods. Theoretically, the analysis suggests questioning the diametrical assumption of hierarchy/anarchy as the organizing principle of international politics. For policy, it notes why a new Chinese hierarchy is unlikely to appear in the foreseeable future.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-22
    JournalInternational Politics: a journal of transnational issues and global problems
    Volume51
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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