Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 7, 2023

Spatial Integration of Global History and International Relations Research

(Abstract)

Dong Xinjie

Space (especially social relationship space) not only affects human production and communication, but also evolves and develops in the course of this process. Space constitutes a basic category and important research contents in the study of global history and international relations. Both global history and international relations focus on horizontal exchanges; therefore, the spatial integration of the two (such as the regional transnational space formed by inter-country exchanges), highlights the basic role of production factors in human communication, as well as the developmental capacities of production and communication as the two basic driving forces of human society. The global space of connectivity, mutually beneficial cooperation and interdependence is the realistic foundation of a human community with a shared future. The integration of various spaces at different regions and levels will be summarized as “global” and “international,” thus dynamically displaying the shape of the world and the development patterns of various human groups; promoting the mutual reflection of history and reality between global history and international relations; and laying a common foundation of spatial dimensions for the development of the study of global history and new international relations in China.