FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE PRC: THE LEGACI - Softcover

Sutter, Robert G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442220163 ISBN 13: 9781442220164

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2013

Synopsis

This cogent but comprehensive book examines the international relations of the People's Republic of China since its founding in 1949. Noted scholar Robert G. Sutter provides a balanced assessment of the country's recent successes and advances as well as the important legacies and constraints that hamper it, especially in nearby Asia-long the focus of China's foreign policy attention. Advances the P.R.C. has made in other parts of the world focus mainly on commercial interests, limiting its actual impact on world affairs. Sutter shows readers how to use China's rise in nearby Asia as a reliable barometer of how important and effective it actually will become internationally.

About this title

About the Author

Robert G. Sutter was an analyst of Asian and Pacific affairs and American foreign policy for the U.S. government for thirty years. He is now Professor of Practice of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

Review

Sutter is a China expert who worked for the Congressional Research Service (as well as other government agencies) for more than 30 years and now is an international relations (IR) professor at George Washington University. He challenges the assessment of some specialists that a power shift is now occurring in the Asia-Pacific because of China's extremely rapid economic development and rising military power, making China likely to supplant the US. The volume surveys China's foreign relations in ten chapters. Sutter begins by describing the important characteristics of policy, such as its interest-based nature (notwithstanding rhetoric emphasizing principles). In three chapters he describes the changing course of policy, from the Maoist era (1949-69) to rapprochement with the US (1969-89) and the post-Cold War era. He forays into the decision-making environment and China's changing global importance. Then, three chapters discuss China's relations with the US, neighboring Asian countries, and with countries beyond Asia. Sutter concludes by emphasizing that China's IR focus will remain on its periphery, and it has far to go to "emerge in a dominant position in Asia." Comprehensive, up-to-date, and balanced in coverage; superior to Donald Gross's China Fallacy Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. (CHOICE)

This is an important book that will be extremely valuable for anyone who wants to know more about the PRC’s current policies, the historical background of China’s place in the world, and the meaning of China’s 'rise.' (Pacific Affairs)

Sutter’s book is a timely contribution that provides a thorough survey on PRC’s foreign relations based on solid observation of the drastic shifts and unpredictability in China’s behavior patterns since 1949, which, as the author argues, constrain China’s current program to exert greater influence in the Asia-Pacific. This book is recommended for general readers as well as researchers looking for updated studies of China’s foreign relations. (East Asia Integration Studies)

This is simply the best up-to-date text on China's foreign relations available. In his detailed and measured study, Professor Sutter—a seasoned and sober observer—deflates the exaggerated estimates of many analysts about China’s rise and global influence by arguing that the country’s image and relations around the world are actually quite troubled and that China’s international behavior has been highly unpredictable and narrowly self-centered. This is a well-researched, strongly argued, and definitive assessment of China's role in the world. (David Shambaugh, The George Washington University and The Brookings Institution)

Robert Sutter, who has contributed much to the understanding of China's foreign policy, brilliantly shows how from its early beginnings to the present day there has been a disconnect between China's self-image as an international actor and how its actual behavior has damaged its relations with neighbors and limited its capacity to contribute to international order. This should be of great interest to both students and diplomats. (Michael Yahuda, professor emeritus, London School of Economics and visiting scholar, George Washington University)

Taking issue with the forecast of an imminent global power transition, Robert Sutter provides us with an analysis of modern Chinese foreign policy that is especially timely in view of Beijing's growing prominence in world affairs. It is also peerlessly comprehensive, both geographically and chronologically. For anyone interested in the shifting global balance of power, this book is a must read. (Lowell Dittmer, University of California, Berkeley)

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1442220163
• ISBN 13: 9781442220164
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 368