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Mnemonic soft power: the role of memory in China's quest for global power
[journal article]
Abstract In twenty-first-century international relations, the telling of stories is as important an instrument of national power as are military strength or economic prowess. Geared not towards coercion or inducement but rather drawing on the forces of attraction and persuasion, such practices can be attribu... view more
In twenty-first-century international relations, the telling of stories is as important an instrument of national power as are military strength or economic prowess. Geared not towards coercion or inducement but rather drawing on the forces of attraction and persuasion, such practices can be attributed to the realm of soft power, which plays a key role in today's great-power politics. Starting from these premises, the article explores the role of memory and its relation to soft power. By way of an empirical example, it argues that the recourse to and utilisation of memory constitutes a crucial component in China's quest for global power. In so doing, the article first establishes a conceptual bridge between soft power and memory in international relations. Subsequently, by taking into account contemporary empirical evidence, it identifies and discusses two select narratives - colonialism and tianxia - as core components of Chinese mnemonic soft power.... view less
Keywords
China; foreign policy; geopolitics; international relations; reminiscence; conception of history; power politics; great power; political strategy
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Free Keywords
Instrumente und Verfahren der Außenpolitik; Internationales politisches System; Kolonialismus; Kolonialzeit; Position; Soft Power; Status und Rolle im internationalen System
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 287-310
Journal
Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 52 (2023) 2
Issue topic
Politics of Memory, Heritage, and Diversity in Modern China
ISSN
1868-4874
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed