The Unassailable Axiom : National Role Conceptions and Strategic Culture in Chinese Foreign Policy

Abstract: How a rising China might adapt to the existing international order has remained a challenge in the international relations debate since the turn of the millennium. While the international balance of power continues to tilt in China’s favor the level of uncertainty regarding how China will use its power remains high. Departing from the assumption that national role conceptions can guide state behavior, this study explores a potential link between strategic culture, national role conceptions, and foreign policy behavior. It examines the explanatory power of role theory through an exploration of strategic culture as a potential driver in the adoption of national role conceptions by looking at Chinese foreign policy developments during the presidency of Xi Jinping. The study aims to theoretically verify tendencies of continuity and change by doing a quantitative and qualitative content analysis on remarks, statements, and articles that can be tied to the Communist Party of China. By looking at how China sees itself through the roles China believes it plays or can play in the international system one aim is to conduct an analysis reaching beyond traditional international relations frameworks. This approach can be useful as it can contribute to an explanation reaching beyond assumptions relying exclusively on structure, rational choice, or causality. The study shows that role theory can explain trends of continuity and change by reflecting claims of increased assertiveness in Chinese foreign policy while simultaneously reflecting China’s peaceful intentions as the dominant trend, as such, the study provides a foundation from which to draw inferences that can be seen as indicative of China’s orientation in the international system.