Kant and Confucius:Moral Ethics Behind Western and Eastern Approaches to International Relations

International relations(IR)as a discipline is currently experiencing a crisis that may be viewed as a protest against the Euro-centric theories in humanities and the Western view on global politics,some of the most vocal opponents coming from Asia,with China at its core.This paper aims to compare the principles that depict moral ethics serving as a base for political idealism in the West and the East with Kant’s views as a foundation for Western idealism and Confucius’s ethical theory as a ground for an ideal society from the Asian perspective.The comparison is conducted along the following axes:the notions of autonomy,will,and freedom,initially developed to depict an ideal world order in the Kantian view.As a result of this comparison,the common feature between the two types of ethics,namely the strive for human dignity,becomes apparent.In conclusion,the paper suggests that researchers should concentrate on common features in the two philosophies instead of juxtaposing their apparent differences,which politically reflect the opposition of individualism and collectivism.Stress on human dignity shall become a unifying factor in modern international politics instead.

On the 2002 U. S. Mid-Term Election Zhang Yanyu and Wang Wenfeng are both assistant research professors at the Division for American Studies in China Institute of Contemporary International Relations

The first mid-term election of the U. S. in the new century took place on November 5, 2002. One third of the senators from the 107th Congress (34 out of 100), all representatives (435), 36 state governors, and numerous local officials and legislators were to be elected or reelected. The resounding victory of the GOP in the congressional elections and the fact that the Democrats only got three more.

Olympic Movement or Diplomatic Movement？ The Role of Olympic Games on Development of International Relations

The Olympic Charter is categorized into three main sections： the IOC （International Olympic Committee）, the IFs （International Federations） and NOCs （National Olympic Committees）. Since the 1980s, the prominent functions of sport and in particular mega events such as the Olympic Games have been deeply analyzed by academic and political writers. Sporting mega events like the Olympic Games can produce lots of advantages： international branding and prestige, economic development, unity and cooperation, cultural exchanges and interactions, reduction in political isolation and sanctions, and so on. One of the most important legacies of Olympic Games for the host country/city is social cohesion, national pride and patriotism. For example, the success of Iran in the London 2012 Olympics resulted in heightened cultural identity and national prestige. Despite political and economic isolation resulting from international sanctions, Iranian athletes and coaches overcame obstacles to win four Olympic gold medals in ＂Mega Media Event＂ that is the summer Olympic Games. The present study demonstrates the interconnections between success in the Olympic Games and the development of nations. The data to support the analysis and arguments were gathered through public documents and interviews with sport diplomacy experts. At first, we investigated some international functions for sport, then we had 13 interviews with 11 Iranian and 2 foreign experts who had international positions in different sport organizations like IOC, Ifs, FIFA （Federation international the Football Association） and OCA （Olympic council of Asia）. Finally, all information was organized into the following factors： enhancing international branding and prestige, international image, number of sport tourists as virtual industry in new millennium, national cohesion and identity, national patriotism, peacefulness, cultural exchanges among nations and reduce political boycotts and economic sanctions.

Kuhnian Understanding of Incommensurability and Implications of Paradigmatic Conception of Knowledge in International Relations

In international relations theory （maybe more than in any other discipline of social sciences）, the paradigmatic construction of Thomas Kuhn and his model of incommensurability might be applied to the theoretical interpretation of phenomena; and it is one of the cornerstones of the methodological toolkit for the interpretation in this field. The paper explores the reason why Kuhn＇s understanding of incommensurability seems to be necessary for the conception of knowledge in international relations： the concept of incommensurability can be considered typical as it is meant to indicate a conflict, of one form or another, between theories. And the discipline of international relations is more than a perfect ground for considering this concept when one is having in mind the high degree of polarized debate among rivalry theoretical schools （for interpreting and describing the identical phenomena） that is present from the very beginning of the discipline. Recalling the Kuhnian conception of science in paradigmatic view with an aim for understanding--international relations theory, the paper analyzes furthermore his rejection of the traditional dichotomy between “objectivisn”and ＂subjectivism.＂

The Importance of Dress Etiquette in International Relations

In international communication,the image of a person in the international perspective is not only representing an individual,but also a country and a nation,so dressing etiquette is especially important in international relations.This paper analyzes the dress code of Peng Liyuan,the First Lady of China,when she visited other countries,and finds that good dress code can not only show the great power and enhance the national cultural confidence,but also convey the Chinese spirit to the world.

CHINA'S NEW ATTEMPTS IN BUILDING A NEW MODEL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:CHINA-CEE COOPERATION

Proposed by the Chinese Government,China and 16 Central and East European(CEE)countries jointly launched the framework of 16+1 cooperation in 2012.China has actively practiced the concept of openness,inclusiveness and win-win cooperation,putting it into the framework of 16+1 cooperation and making new attempts in constructing a new model of international relations.Over the

Relationality and processual construction： bringing Chinese ideas into international relations theory

The three mainstream International Relations theories that have arisen in the past thirty years, structural realism, neo-liberal institutionalism and structural constructivism, have all missed an important dimension, i.e., the study relational complexity in international society. of processes in the international system and of This paper, informed by social constructivism and Chinese philosophical traditions, aims to make up for this missing link and develop a theoretical model of processual constructivism by incorporating and conceptualizing two key Chinese ideas - processes and relations. ＂Process,＂ defined as relations in motion, can stand on its own, has its own dynamics, and plays a crucial role in international relations. The core of process, by definition, consists in relations. If ＂rationality,＂ rooted in individuality, has been a key concept for Western society, then its counterpart in Chinese society can be ＂relationality.＂ Conceptualizing relationality and treating it as the theoretical hard core, processual constructivism holds that relational networking in international society helps nation-states form their identities and produces international power. Processual constructivism is an evolution theory at systemic level, focusing on interactive practices among states and emphasizing the independent ontology of social processes which play a meaningful role in constructing international norms and state identities.

Hajj and Its Impact on International Relations

Hajj(Islamic pilgrimage)is not only the world’s largest transnational religious movement,but also the only one in the world explicitly listed as one of the religious pillars of the Islamic faith.Viewing hajj within the context of Islam’s continued global territorial expansion of the faith from the perspective of international relations is of great benefit to a better understanding of Islam and its participation in international relations.The total institution of hajj is composed of basic institutions and different countries’management institutions.The two holy cities are the cornerstones in Saudi Arabia’s construction of an Islamic international system.Hajj also has impacts on many specific areas of international relations.In the long run,realizing the interaction of hajj and international relations is very important for China’s national security.

A Model for International Relations

Since the end of the Cold War, the new international environment has required a new model of relationship between major countries. The basis of the new relations is to safeguard one's own national interests while respecting the national interests of the other country. The process of establishing such rela-

Domestic Needs,International Relations

Washington listens closely to values and interests of domestic audiences when shaping its policy toward China Longtime Speakerof the House TipO’ Neil once fa-Lmously said, "Allpolitics is local." Whilehe was reflecting on rep-resentative governmentand the nature of elec-tions in America,

Religion and International Relations in the Age of Globalization

The global resurgence of religion and the return of religion from the so-called“Westphalia Exile”to the central stage of international religions have significantly transformed the viewpoints of both media and academia toward the role of religion in international relations(IR),and the challenges posed by religion to the contemporary international relations are often described as entirely subversive.The author argues that as a second-tier factor in the foreign policies of most countries and international affairs,religion and religious movements could neither shake the dominant role of“norm-setting”sovereign states in the international system,nor serve as a basis to“rebuild”IR theory.The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of religion’s growing influence in IR for China,the importance of religion to the construction of China’s international image,and the feasibility of religion being developed as a resource for China’s public as well as people-to-people diplomacy.

The Governance of Complementary Global Regimes Dealing With War and Crime:The Interaction Between the United Nations and the International Criminal Court

The establishment of an international judicial institution responsible to verify on a case-by-case basis when serious humanitarian crimes would fall within the competence of domestic judicial authorities,and when an international judiciary would be required is a visible accomplishment advocated for years.The important paradigm shift refers to governing the transitional challenges characterizing massive humanitarian escalations in conflict and post-conflict situations between the responsibility to protect civilians and the fight against the impunity of international crimes.In the current legislation of the UN the civilian protection duties are associated to the maintenance of peace and security and to the right of intervention in the domestic affairs of sovereign States for humanitarian reasons,extending further the reach of a criminal jurisdiction to punish the perpetrators.This has been the case in Darfur,Sudan,and Libya.Both these situations have been referred by the UN Security Council to the International Criminal Court(ICC).From an empirical perspective,it is still not demonstrated whether international criminal justice would have an impact on the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security,while its complementary role with global political regimes is in transition and deserves attention.The questions arising are as follow:how to rely on international criminal justice for the preservation,maintenance,and restoration of peace and security in extreme conflict zones,without solving the governance gaps during mass atrocity escalations characterized by jurisdictional referrals?Is this realistic considering the traditional concept of international security relying on old models of militarization,such as in the case of Libya?Are there political and strategic reasons for a postponement of accountability during such humanitarian interventions?In short,what kind of public authority is desired for the emerging regime of international criminal justice,and how would such tool function in the complexity of international governance?

New International Partner Network Launched to Further Sino-US Business Relations

"The network will foster newrelationship between US andChinese small and medium-size companies in 14 key busi-ness centers, generating newopportunities for US SMEs inthe China market and prosper-ity for both our great nations,"said Tim Hauser.

Koizumi's Yasukuni Visits,China-Japan Relations And Japan's International Image

Early on the morning of August 15, 2006, which was the 61st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in the Second World War, Junichiro Koizumi dressed himself up in a formal tuxedo jacket with coattails and paid his sixth and also the last visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in his official capacity as Japan’s prime minister. Koizumi’s deliberate action taken amidst the strong protests from people both in and outside Japan has

China-U.S. Relations and International Trade

Dr.Elliot Feldman on April 15,2010 presented the following speech at AmCham-China's Conference of the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce(APCAC).With his kind approval,China Textile publishes his study and views focused on the title as captioned above.The article expresses the author's own stance.

Triple-helix knowledge-based Sino-Nordic Arctic relationships for trust and sustainable development

This paper goes beyond Sino-Nordic Arctic science diplomacy and looks at Sino-Nordic Arctic triple-helix knowledge- based collaborations among academia, business, civil society （the inclusion of which moves beyond the original triple-helix concept）, and government. In light of the potential of science diplomacy for building Sino-Arctic trust under systemic international conditions of power transition and globalization, this is the natural next step toward exploring triple-helix collaborations. Knowledge-based collaborations between academia, business, civil society, and government also open up avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship by both Arctic societies and Chinese society in attempts to address major challenges to sustainable development in these societies. This paper discusses possible triple-helix knowledge-based collaborations with China by each of the five Nordic countries, and highlights the innovation and entrepreneurial talents of summer school students at the University of International Relations in Beijing in developing projects as part of a course entitled ＂The Global Arctic＂.

The Path of Undergraduate Intemational Relations Studies in Chile： Stumbling Under the Umbrella of Political Science

In Chile, the study of international relations is very limited both in the number of programs and in its scope. Furthermore, it is still a country where international relations are under the umbrella of political science and political science itself is heavily influenced by the study of the law. This paper looks at the development of international relations both as a tool for training diplomats and as a topic of study within political science in Chile. It does so within the framework of the social sciences. Using interviews as a complimentary tool of research, it concludes that, along with a marked influence of economics in the study of social sciences in Chile, the country＇s political and social history has shaped the advent of social sciences at the undergraduate level and has dwarfed the growth and contents of both political science and international studies, in spite of the country＇s successful embrace of globalization.

The Trend of U.S.-China Relations: Is a Conflict Between the United States and China Inevitable?

International relations theory can serve as a guide to understanding national behaviour,especially those that are strained by ideological misunderstandings.Realism basically believes that state behaviour reflects the state’s pursuit of power.Constructivism believes that thought drives behaviour.Therefore,in order to better understand the behaviour between states,this essay suggests that constructivism and realism can interact rather than repel each other,because constructivism can play a complementary role in realism.This combination can promote behavioural understanding between countries without compromising the interests of countries,thereby reducing the possibility of conflict and war.Finally,the ups and downs of Sino-US relations reflect the participation of ideology.In other words,based on this method to analyse the current relationship between China and the United States,it can be predicted that the two countries can basically avoid the war between them.