Abstract
In the following a theoretical framework for this study shall be developed. I intend to find an approach that promises to have explanatory power, in connection with basic findings concerning Chinese and Russian positions on IR and the Sino-Russian relationship in CA. After settling on a suitable combination of theories – IR theories should not be considered and generally are not considered to be mutually exclusive –, a corresponding methodology will be explained and several hypotheses posited.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
A theory’s defining quality according to Waltz 1979:69, as quoted in Marciacq 2009: 25.
- 2.
- 3.
See Putnam 1976:11 as quoted in Shambaugh 1991:21.
- 4.
See Shambaugh 1991:5 and Friedrich 2000:43.
- 5.
“Realism“ is an umbrella term for manifold “realist“ theories that developed after World War II (Dougherty/Pfaltzgraff 2001:63). Those will be grouped here into three stages: Classical Realism, Neorealism and Neoclassical Realism.
- 6.
Jacobs 2010:41 (translated from German by the author); see also Barkin 2003:587: they felt the need “to study international politics as they are, not as we feel they should be.“
- 7.
Utopian theory stated that a way from international anarchy to a world order “based on normative standards and global interdependence“ was possible, through the development of international law and international institutions such as the League of Nations. What is more, human nature would change with the alteration of external circumstances and a “harmony of interest in peace“ would result (Dougherty/Pfaltzgraff 2001:65-66).
- 8.
E.H. Carr, important proponent of classical realism, however, made clear that this was an observation of the current situation and could change in the future (Barkin 2003:587).
- 9.
See also: Dougherty/Pfaltzgraff 2001:96-97, Jacobs 2010:49-50 and Waltz 1979:127 et seq.
- 10.
See also: Charles P. Kindleberger as quoted in Dougherty/Pfaltzgraff 2001:73: Power is strength combined with the ability to use it effectively.
- 11.
See also: Barkin 2003:587.
- 12.
Concerning the “lust for power“ as an inseparable part of human nature see also: Tellis 1996:608.
- 13.
National interest is said to have been obscured by nationalism and messianic ideologies in the 20th century (Dougherty/Pfaltzgraff 2001:78-79).
- 14.
Schörnig (2010:67) sees neorealists influenced by economic theories, when in their thinking external forces (ie the structure of the international system) shape states’ behavior similar to the way the market shapes companies’ behavior.
- 15.
See Waltz 1979:102 et seq and Waltz 1993:59.
- 16.
See eg Sterling-Folker 1997:2 for the importance to consider both domestic and international reasons for a state’s behavior.
- 17.
The Innenpolitik school represents one of several endeavors to formulate a general theory of foreign policy. It considers domestic factors as determining a state’s foreign policy (Rose 1998:145-146, 148).
- 18.
See even Kenneth M. Waltz (2000:24): “Structures shape and shove; they do not determine the actions of states.“
- 19.
See also: Gourevitch 1978:881 for the description of domestic structure as an intervening variable regarding the impact of external/systemic pressures; and Roth 2006:486 who describes Randall Schweller’s selection of the most important domestic variables when it comes to balancing policies, among them “elite consensus about the nature and extent of the threat“ (ie elite perception).
- 20.
David Shambaugh (1991:17) notes social scientists’ concern with the reasons behind human action and quotes W.I. Thomas as saying, “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.“ He then notes that IR scholars equally need to analyze perception, as they seek to explain state behavior and states are made up of human beings.
- 21.
Nele Noesselt (2008:33) observed that perception theory can complement structural explanatory approaches like neorealism by adding another layer of analysis.
- 22.
According to Allen S. Whiting (1989:18 as quoted in Noesselt 2008:35-36), perception means a selective intake of one’s counterpart’s actions that is based on a preconceived image. The latter, in turn, results from a selective interpretation of history and experience.
- 23.
Conversation with Prof. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik, 25.03.2012.
- 24.
Ibd.
- 25.
See Chapter 3, p. 54 for an explanation to Yu Bin’s “schools“.
- 26.
Realist approaches for example are said to be in need of refinement as they can not yet explain cooperative patterns in international energy politics (Mayer 2007:69-71).
- 27.
Conversation with Prof. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik, 25.03.2012.
- 28.
Conversation with Prof. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik, 27.04.2012.
- 29.
Conversation with Prof. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik, 25.03.2012.
- 30.
Noesselt mainly bases her classifications on Fang 2005 and Li, Bin 2006.
- 31.
For the purposes of this study, scholars that graduated before the period of reform and opening that began in 1978 will be considered members of the older generation of IR scholars. Although she does not specify any time periods, this author considers such a delimitation to be in conformity with Noesselt’s argumentation.
- 32.
See also: Friedrich 2000:66-67 who cites Song Yimin of the CIIS and Zhou Hong and Chen Lemin of the CASS as having publicly written on and criticized government interference in their research. Through several interviews (cf Friedrich 2000:77, FN 29), he confirmed that Chinese scholars do acknowledge a certain gap between their research and their publicly accessible publications, due to “sensitivities“.
- 33.
As CNPC has the bureaucratic rank of a ministry, this journal is technically also published by a ministry-affiliated research institute.
- 34.
The CERC is a subsidiary of the “China Association for Science and Technology“ (CAST), which is a non-governmental, non-profit organization priding itself on the ability to give neutral policy recommendations on the basis of objective observations.
- 35.
One tool that was used to find relevant authors – next to scanning the journals listed in the foregoing – was www.irchina.org, which is sort of a “database” of relevant Chinese IR scholars, compiled by the Nankai University’s “Academy of International Studies”. It is, however, not exhaustive, is rather concentrated on IR theory development and considered by this author to not be up-to-date.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Eder, T. (2014). Research Design – Theoretical Framework, Methodology and Hypotheses. In: China-Russia Relations in Central Asia. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-03272-2_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-03272-2_5
Publisher Name: Springer VS, Wiesbaden
Print ISBN: 978-3-658-03271-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-658-03272-2
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)