Author Description
The evolution of the the People's Republic of China in world politics is an epic story and one of the most important developments in modern world history. Yet to date, there are no authoritative histories of China's foreign relations. John Garver's monumental China's Quest fills this lacuna and draws from memoirs by Chinese leaders and diplomats, including those written by several foreign ministers, as well as significant new archival material. Garver situates the history of PRC foreign relations in a central drama of the 20th century: the rise and fall of Communist ideology. This new and revised edition includes an additional chapter and new analysis, which address China's strategies in the aftermath of the Western economic crisis, Xi Jinping's embrace of assertive nationalism, the "China Dream" and restoration of China's leading global status, and the "One Belt, One Road" and "communities of common destiny" initiatives. The summation of Garver's fifty-year study of Chinese foreign relations, China's Quest is an expansive and conceptually powerful resource for everyone interested in China's role in the world.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the evolution of the People's Republic of China's foreign policy and its shifting role in global politics since 1949. John W. Garver, a long-time scholar of Chinese international relations, synthesizes decades of research to argue that the trajectory of Chinese diplomacy is inextricably linked to the rise and decline of Communist ideology. By utilizing primary source memoirs from Chinese leadership and newly accessible archival documents, Garver provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how domestic political shifts have dictated China's external behavior throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological analysis of PRC foreign relations from the Cold War to the present era.
- Detailed examination of Xi Jinping's assertive nationalism and the 'China Dream' initiative.
- Analysis of modern economic strategies including the 'One Belt, One Road' project.
- Integration of primary source material from Chinese diplomats and foreign ministers.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on state-level diplomacy and high-level strategic decision-making rather than grassroots social movements.
- The analysis is centered on the PRC's perspective and its interaction with major global powers.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this volume as a foundational reference for understanding the historical continuity of Chinese foreign policy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a comprehensive resource for students and practitioners of international relations.
Page Count:
888
Publication Date:
2016-01-04
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190261056
ISBN-13:
9780190261054
History
International relations
Foreign Policy
Modern History
Asian Studies