The Involution in International Relations: A Comparative Study of Tianxiaism and Liberalism
摘要
There is currently a predicament of involvement across all levels of international relations, from the global to the national level. This predicament has led to traps, tragedies, and dysfunctions that require further investigation. Existing research on macro-level paradigms is inadequate, especially since is lacks an exploration of non-Western paradigms, leaving the origins, evolution, and application of involutional phenomena underexplored. This paper constructs an analytical framework based on theories of alienation and inclusivity, employing comparative case studies, process tracing, and dataset observation to analyze how different paradigms address the challenge of involution. The findings suggest that Tianxiaism, as an inclusive Eastern paradigm, can effectively navigate the involution predicament, whereas Western liberalism, lacking inclusivity, struggles to escape from it. This research not only contributes a new theoretical perspective to international relations but also holds significant practical implications for fostering development, peace, and cooperation in the realm of international relations.