The Chinese peacebuilding paradigm : a historical materialist perspective

Abstract

This study delves into the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm. The Chinese peacebuilding paradigm is an emerging approach to post-conflict reconstruction for lasting peace. To secure peace and security for the international community, a comprehensive peacebuilding strategy is needed. This study is one endeavour to elaborate on the underlying philosophical basis of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm that derives from Marxist notions of historical materialism, which represents one option for that comprehensive peacebuilding strategy.

This study is unique in trying to figure out the philosophical basis of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm. This study focuses on two pillars of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm. One is the prioritization of development, while the other one refers to the principle of non-intervention. This study applies the primacy thesis of the productive forces of historical materialism to explain the characteristics of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm. As the primacy thesis contends, the productive forces enjoy the explanatory primacy over the relations of production. The nature of the relations of production is determined and explained by the level of development of the productive forces embraced by it. From the perspective of the primacy thesis of productive force, on the one hand, this study points out that the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm prioritizes attempts to establish enabling conditions for economic development. On the other hand, the principle of non-intervention can be reconciled with the methods of historical materialism. This study argues that historical materialism is the guiding thread to understanding the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm.

The empirical analysis of this study presents two case studies: Afghanistan and Sudan along with South Sudan. This study examines the implementation of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm from the perspective of the statements made in UN Security Council meetings and the distribution patterns of financial aid to Afghanistan and Sudan (and South Sudan). This study employs comparative analysis. Via the comparison between the US, the UK, and Chinese approaches to providing financial aid to these countries, the characteristics of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm can be illuminated.

By engaging in a thorough study of the Chinese peacebuilding paradigm, this study provides insights into China’s approach to international law in general. This study presents historical materialism as a problem-solving method. The functional facet of historical materialism enables China to have an effective approach to peacebuilding, which the international community might benefit from if it also adopted this approach. (387 words)