Social Sciences in China

Vol. 38, No. 1, 2017

The Role of Corporatism in Building a New Model of Major-Country Relationships

(Abstract)

Liu Jianfei

Building a new model of major-country relationships is an unprecedented undertaking requiring theoretical support. However, existing theories, whether Western or Chinese, find it hard to assume the task of providing the theoretical foundation for such a model. Corporatism, which has both Chinese and Western cultural elements, offers conditions for such an undertaking. Although China-U.S. relations have some unusual features, corporatism offers the prospect of directing them away from the “Thucydides trap” and avoiding the political tragedies of major powers. For China and the world, making corporatism or group cooperation the central idea in building the new model of major-country relations will be a big step forward for the model and for international relations.

Keywords: corporatism, new model of major-country relations, China-U.S. relations