Stephen, Matthew David

How is China’s rise leaving its mark on the practices, norms and institutions of international politics? In their article, “China and the Logic of Illiberal Hegemony”, Darren J. Lim and G. John Ikenberry offer a provocative answer to this question. Lim and Ikenberry set out to identify “the logic and practices of an ideal-type order that most closely suits China’s preferences.” They distil three organizational principles or logics that could characterize a potential Chinese model of international order: the logic of difference, the logic of win-win, and the logic of partnerships. The authors argue that while such logics may not be illiberal per se, by attracting autocratic state followers and being based on pragmatic interstate bargaining rather than formal institutions, they may generate illiberal outcomes over time. If this argumentation holds, it raises considerable doubt about the sustainability of liberal international order in the face of China’s continued rise.