From Hierarchy to Anarchy

: A Study of Order and Systemic Changes in Ancient China

Abstract

The project utilizes the English School (ES) theory of ‘society of states’ and ancient China as a major case to engage a currently heated debate on the hierarchical International Relations (HIR) theory. It explores the emergence, management, maintenance and decline of a hierarchical society of states in Western Zhou (1046-771 BC), and its systemic transformation into an anarchical society of states in the consequent Spring and Autumn period (SAP, 770-476 BC).
With full reviews of the relevant theoretical literatures, it compares and clarifies a set of much used but confused concepts, including the key note hierarchy, authority, and legitimacy, which has been re-conceptualized through an English School societal approach concerning the shared common interest, values, norms and institutions. Thus, ‘hierarchy’ got its ‘soul’, much beyond the current debate that focus on materialistic and strategic interactions exclusively.
As a frontier English School study with reference to constructivist analytical tools, it re-theorises ‘society of states’ with an impressive blend of theory and history. Thus, it identifies the existence of ‘states’ and ‘society of states’ in Western Zhou China, which were totally absent from IR before this project. This 300-year practice of statehood formation, and the emergence, expansion and transformation of society of states, ultimately enhances conceptualization of HIR and ES through robust theoretical and empirical understandings.
It contributes a dynamic model which not only demonstrates the endogenous process of the construction of a primitive hierarchical society and its transformation into an anarchical society of states, but also interprets its normative meaning and intellectual - ideological legacies.
In addition to developing historically sensitive theorizing, the project also makes contribution to theoretically informed international history by engaging the ancient Chinese historical division and state theory.

Date of Award	25 Sept 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Yongjin Zhang (Supervisor) & Jeffrey Henderson (Supervisor)