Date of Submission

Spring 2024

Academic Program

Asian Studies

Project Advisor 1

Robert Culp

Abstract/Artist's Statement

To understand the role of a nation-state within the international system, it is important to understand how that nation-state identifies itself and the role they wish to perform as an active actor in the global community. The People’s Republic of China, as a growing global power, is often criticized for how it approaches international relations and how it deals with foreign policies. Oftentimes, it is feared or seen as a threat because its domestic policies do not align with the values and ideals of powerful nations– these states are often identified as Western powers. Nevertheless, modern China continues to strive to establish itself as a global leader. As part of its approach to receiving affirmation from the international community, the People’s Republic of China is looking back at its history and creating historical narratives that emphasize its attributes as a righteous and valuable member of the international community. China is defining itself in new ways, yet still uses rhetoric related to its late imperial times, which it led with a hegemonic approach. In contemporary times, it is not clear if it seeks hegemony or its new shared idea of a democratized international relations system. As a result, this research paper seeks to examine how China is using its historical narrative and self-conception to present itself as a leader in the global community. (This paper analyzes how the Tianxia and Tribute Systems influence modern Chinese political thinking.)

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Open Access

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