The emergence and transformation of international order highlight the dimension of spatial theory
2024-11-12
Since the late 20th century, the "spatial turn" has become an influential theoretical trend in philosophical and social science research, and the concept of "space" has been problematized and become a research focus. Currently, spatial theory has become an interdisciplinary theoretical paradigm that has a profound impact on many fields of humanities and social sciences. International relations studies have gradually changed the state of "spatial aphasia", and space has become an important dimension for gaining insight into the international community. Examining international relations from a spatial perspective has become a new research path. Examining international order issues from a spatial theory perspective is a feasible entry point for the "spatial turn" in international relations studies. From the perspective of spatial theory, the spatial implications of international order are not only a social state, but also a spatial condition. The spatialization interpretation of international order should be regarded as a spatial order, that is, a relatively stable and orderly spatial situation formed by international actors in the process of social interaction. This order is a product of the interaction between international space and the international community. International space, as a specific type of space, possesses dual attributes of physical space and social space. Physical space depends on natural geographical factors and is shaped by objective geographical environments that are independent of human practice; Social space is a product of the spatial practice of international actors, particularly sovereign states. The entire international social space is a social system composed of relationships and interactions between countries. As an international order based on spatial conditions, it inherently carries political implications. International space is not only a container for international relations, but also a medium for the exercise of power in the international community. The international order is subordinate to the logic of power, and its spatial structure is a product of the exercise of power, essentially the realization of power in the international social space. Under the Westphalian sovereignty order, the state is the core subject shaping the international order. Over the past 500 years, the power structure between countries has evolved several times, and the international order has also continued to develop and evolve accordingly. In the post Cold War era, sovereign states have formed a pyramid shaped hierarchical social spatial structure based on their power positions. Superpowers exercise hegemonic control in the global space, while regional powers practice power politics in the regional space, resulting in a typical hegemonic state in the international order. The international space is embedded in a complex world political and economic network, and a specific international order is the externalization of a specific spatial structure, which is a concrete reflection of the dominant political, economic, and cultural structure of the international community. The contemporary international order is the concretization of the unequal system structure of the international community, and the hierarchical spatial order is not only reflected in the world political system, but also in the world economic system. Since the end of the 15th century, when Western countries began to expand globally, the spatial differentiation of the international community has gradually formed and strengthened, forming a hierarchical spatial structure centered on the West. The "center edge" structure explained by the attachment theory and the "center semi edge edge" system revealed by the world system theory are both concrete manifestations of this spatial differentiation. The dual inequality of politics and economy in this spatial situation leads to the existence of political power oppression structures and economic capital exploitation chains in the current international order, and hegemonic relationships constantly self construct in spatial production. From the perspective of spatial theory, the spatial structure of hegemonic order is constructed by spatial practical activities, and the international order is not a priori spatial situation, but a dynamic practical process. The generation and operation of international order are products of international space production practices. The space production of the international community is the practical process of international actors in the development, design, use, and transformation of international space. This space practice activity is essentially the operation of capital and power in the international social space. Some countries hold a high position in the international power hierarchy or global capital chain, and are able to break through subject boundaries, expand interest boundaries, and even control spatial connections, dominate spatial systems, form spatial monopolies and privileges, and construct a global or regional hegemonic order centered on themselves in international space allocation. This unequal and unreasonable hegemonic order is the spatial manifestation of specific international power structures and capital patterns. On the one hand, the spatial production of hegemonic order is the process of power operation in the international social space. Power is a spatial control force, and the emergence of hegemonic order is the process of specific spatial entities occupying and controlling international space. A few powerful countries use space control to establish their own hegemonic position, based on their strength to occupy, dominate, and control space, making space subordinate to power. Space has become a political tool, and the interaction between power and space has become a process for a few countries to seek hegemonic space and pursue international power. It is in this process that hegemony has achieved control over global or regional space and completed the organization of international space. The spatial operation mechanism of power has formed a spatial network of international social operation woven by power, and hegemonic countries have achieved the reproduction of power and ruling structures through the practice of international social spatial production. The hegemonic order in world politics is generated and strengthened through the spatial operation and expansion of power. On the other hand, the spatial production of hegemonic order is also a process of capital expansion in the international social space. The spatial production of hegemonic order is the process by which capital gains structural advantages in international space. The emergence of hegemonic order is essentially the logic of capital accumulation. The spatial expansion of capital forms the layout of capital accumulation in the global space, creating an unequal international spatial structure system characterized by a "center periphery" binary structure, strengthening the exploitation chain in the international order, and the dependence of "global southern" countries on Western countries. The spatial production practice of the international order essentially reflects the unfolding of specific modes of production - mainly the capitalist mode of production in the modern international system - in international space. Capitalism has shifted from the production of objects in space to the production of space itself, thereby achieving the reproduction of production relations and strengthening the hegemonic characteristics of the international order centered on the West. At the same time, the capital logic and power logic generated by the hegemonic order are unified. The process of capital competing for space and the process of power controlling space jointly construct the hegemonic order of international space. The spatial logic of order change and the spatial production of hegemonic order make the existing international order a hierarchical structure jointly shaped by power and capital, thus having inherent flaws that cannot be ignored. The hierarchical differences in power positions among countries imply significant inequality in the possession of spatial resources, forming a political oppressive structure. The differences in the role of the state in the capital chain have strengthened the binary spatial structure of "center periphery", leading to economic exploitation relationships between countries. In this unequal and unreasonable international order, the interests and demands of major powers, especially hegemonic countries, dominate international relations, while weak countries are marginalized. Security and interests are often overlooked, and the realization of the overall interests of human society has become empty talk. In this context, transforming the old international order and exploring a more just and reasonable new order has become an objective need and universal demand of the "Global South". Based on the time dimension of the "triadic dialectics", the international order is not a static social structure, but a dynamic practical process. Against the backdrop of unprecedented changes in the world today, the transformation of the international power structure and the adjustment of the international economic landscape are driving a historic change in the international order. The development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has driven changes in the layout of international productive forces and the international division of labor system. The "center periphery" international spatial structure has undergone a transformation, and emerging market countries and developing countries have emerged as a group, shifting from the "periphery" to the "center" in the international spatial structure. This change has strengthened the multipolar development trend of the international pattern, overturned the inherent structure and operation mode of the old international social spatial order, changed the history of the international order centered on the West, and promoted the decentralization of the international social spatial structure. The emergence of a new, more just and reasonable international order has become possible. In the new transformation of the international order, replacing the hegemonic order with a community order is currently the best solution for human society. Promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind conforms to the historical trend of spatial transformation in human society, and is also conducive to addressing common challenges faced by the international community, such as peace deficits, security dilemmas, development gaps, cultural barriers, and environmental crises. The construction of a community with a shared future for mankind has pointed out the path of harmonious coexistence for the international community facing numerous challenges and increasing risks. It has contributed Chinese wisdom to addressing the instability and uncertainty of today's world and provided a Chinese solution for building a benign and orderly symbiotic new international order. Building a community with a shared future for mankind can dissolve the hegemonic order, enhance spatial justice, eliminate the alienation of human beings by the international order, and promote the ultimate realization of human freedom and liberation through the restructuring of the international social space. Author: Jin Xin (Professor at the International Studies Center of the School of Marxism, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and Researcher at the Asia Europe Research Center)
Edit:Luo yu Responsible editor:Wang er dong
Source:cssn.cn
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