China/LIO/Populism

What was China's global position in the early 15th century?

The most advanced civilization in the world with major technologies and maritime capacity

Why did China fall behind Europe by the 19th century?

China turned inward while Europe industrialized and expanded outward

What were the unequal treaties?

Agreements imposed by Western powers that undermined Chinese sovereignty

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

An anti-foreign uprising crushed by Western powers at great cost to China

What is meant by the Century of Humiliation?

Period from the First Opium War to the end of WWII marked by foreign domination

What happened in the 1911 Revolution?

Overthrow of the imperial dynasty without a stable replacement government

What characterized the warlord period?

Fragmentation of China under regional military leaders

Who fought for control of China after WWII?

The Communists and the Nationalists (KMT)

What happened in 1949?

Communists established the PRC and the KMT retreated to Taiwan

What was the Great Leap Forward?

Maoist industrialization campaign that caused mass famine

What was the Cultural Revolution?

Political purge to reassert Mao's authority and eliminate rivals

How successful was Maoist China economically?

Economic growth was limited

What role did Deng Xiaoping play in China's rise?

Opened China to markets and foreign investment

What was the significance of Tiananmen Square 1989?

Student protests violently repressed, damaging China's image in the West

What is the security dilemma?

Defensive actions by one state appear threatening to others

What is the commitment problem? (w china)

Difficulty assuring others a rising power will not overturn the order

How do institutions help manage rising powers?

They signal benign intentions and bind states to rules

Why do domestic politics matter in IR?

Accountable leaders are less likely to make foreign policy mistakes

How were US-China relations during WWII?

The US allied with Nationalist China

Why did Nixon go to China?

To exploit the Sino-Soviet split and realign China against the USSR

What did China's entry into the WTO represent?

Integration into the global economic system

What changed in US-China relations after 2016?

US policy shifted toward open rivalry

What does "rise deferred" predict?

China's growth will stall due to political or economic problems

What is meant by a peaceful rise?

China can grow without major conflict

What is the new Cold War prediction?

US and China compete globally without direct war

Why is Taiwan a major flashpoint?

CCP legitimacy is tied to reunification

What is the window of opportunity argument?

China may act now before future decline limits power

How does Xi Jinping's leadership (autocracy) affect foreign policy?

Power consolidation reduces accountability and increases risk of mistakes

What are the main concerns about the international order today?

Institutions are weakening and rules are not being enforced

Why has the WTO struggled?

US-China conflict and a frozen dispute system

What did COVID reveal about international cooperation?

Lack of coordination and weak collective response

How is violent conflict changing today?

More regional wars with less major-power intervention

What are the three pillars of the liberal international order?

Open markets, democracy/human rights, multilateral institutions

What does governance without government mean?

Order created through shared rules and norms under anarchy

Why do states want rules under anarchy?

To reduce unpredictability and prevent domination by the strongest

How do constructivists explain international order?

Through shared norms and ideas

How do institutionalists explain international order?

Through formal institutions that regulate behavior

Why does the liberal order reflect US interests?

It was created largely by the US after WWII

Why is the liberal international order limited?

Anarchy still exists and enforcement is uneven

Why is international order a collective action problem?

Rules benefit all but enforcement is costly

What is free-riding?

Benefiting from rules without paying enforcement costs

What role does a hegemon play in international order?

Provides and enforces public goods

What is meant by the American international order?

US-led enforcement of global rules

Why might China want to challenge the current order?

It dislikes democracy, human rights, and institutional constraints

Why do realists think China faces limits?

It must overtake US power and may provoke balancing

Why do liberals think China is constrained?

Authoritarianism limits legitimacy and trust

Why do constructivists doubt China can replace the US?

Order depends on shared ideas China lacks support for

Why has the US become less committed to the order?

Costs of enforcement and domestic backlash

What criticisms did Trump raise about the international order?

Unfair trade, NATO burden-sharing, failed democracy promotion

What are the four futures if the US withdraws?

No alternative, resilient order, China steps up, leadership void

Why is populism considered a major recent development?

Rapid growth of anti-establishment movements

What does populism signal about public attitudes?

Deep dissatisfaction with the status quo

What is negative partisanship?

Supporting a party mainly to oppose the other

How has trust in institutions changed?

It has declined across politics, media, and expertise

Why is vaccine skepticism linked to populism?

It reflects declining trust in experts

Why is populism puzzling given objective conditions?

Many indicators like crime and life expectancy have improved

How do external threats affect domestic unity?

Shared threats reduce internal divisions

What does "politics stops at the water's edge" mean?

Foreign policy unity during major threats

How does inequality fuel populism?

Growth benefits elites while others feel left behind

Who are the losers of globalization?

Groups harmed by economic integration

What is a status threat?

Fear of losing social or cultural dominance

Why is identity central to populism?

Status is tied to race, gender, and nationality

Why is scapegoating common in populism?

It redirects blame toward out-groups

What is social capital?

Networks and relationships that support social cohesion

How has media contributed to populism?

Fragmentation and decline of shared community and truth

Why is no single explanation sufficient for populism?

Causes interact and reinforce each other

Why does populism matter for policy?

Populist policies have not delivered economic success

Why can excluding populists backfire?

It often increases their appeal