ABSTRACT
David C. Kang's analytical framework in China Rising draws on three theories in international relations: realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Combining liberalism and constructivism, he promotes a convincing alternative to the realist assessment of the Chinese rise that has been dominant both in academic and political debates. Constructivism argues that while the pursuit of power and security is an important factor, states' behavior is primarily driven by the identities and ideas. Realists argue that states react to the ascent of a new great power by seeking to balance its power. The realist stance is essentially pessimistic about human nature. It argues that international politics are inherently competitive, and states, who are the main actors in international affairs, seek to maintain or expand their power and security in a state of anarchy: there is no single higher authority or world government effectively managing relations between states.
