Shadowing the Hegemon? Global Norms, National Identity, and the Military Trajectories of Rising Powers

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What factors shape the military trajectories of rapidly industrializing rising powers in the modern era? Existing international relations theory generally fails to explain important variation in and changes to the military policies of rising powers during periods of rapid economic and industrial expansion. Yet the factors that account for this variation have major implications for both international relations theory and contemporary foreign affairs. Especially salient are the implications for the ongoing efforts of established powers to shape the policy choices of current and future rising powers, which in turn have direct bearing on the likelihood of great power war.

This seminar will explore the role of two generally overlooked non-material variables—the normative influence of the contemporaneous hegemon and national identity—in shaping a rising power's military force development and employment decisions during periods of rapid development. It will also discuss some of the implications for contemporary U.S. strategy toward rising China.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.