Sparking the (Relational) Revolution

This thesis aims to renew the study of international relations by shifting from static, state-centred models to a more relational perspective that incorporates both Western and Chinese understandings of relationships. The first objective is to provide a more comprehensive framework for analysing international relations through the integration of the Western Friendship Theory and the Chinese concept of guanxi. The research addresses the central question: How does the integration of Western and non-western theories of interpersonal relationships enhance our understanding of international relations? To achieve this goal, the thesis critically engages the existing literature on both friendship theory and guanxi; both theories highlight similar aspects of a relationship, like affectivity, reciprocity, and equality. The key difference between the two lies in the static nature of friendship compared to the more dynamic understanding of interpersonal relationships embodied by guanxi. From this critical assessment of pivotal literature on the subjects, a new theoretical framework is developed combining these two perspectives offering a dynamic, multicultural understanding of international relations. The integration of the two allows for greater depth in the analysis of interpersonal and international relationships. A case study is included to illustrate the practical application of this integrated framework and how it can be useful to assess the state of the relationship between two actors. This model can be applied in two ways: comparatively between several dyads of actors; longitudinally if applied multiple times to the same dyad over a determined historical span. The case focuses on China’s practice of awarding friendship medals, particularly since 2012, under the leadership of Xi Jinping. This thesis not only broadens the cultural scope of international relations studies but also provides a more dynamic framework for analysing and engaging in global diplomacy. By incorporating both Western and Chinese concepts, it offers a nuanced understanding that is better suited to the complexities of contemporary international relations.