DISSERTATION PROJECT

Taking Sides or Staying Neutral: Making Sense of China’s Neutrality in International Conflicts

As the global order established after the Cold War unravels amid the weakness and unpredictability of the current U.S. government and mounting geopolitical conflicts, it is crucial to ask whether peace can be advanced by methods other than military armament and alliances, among others. My dissertation addresses the overlooked question of how neutrality could support global security, and departs from the premise that China could make a positive contribution in this regard. More generally, however, the work clarifies the concept of neutrality, its role in IR and explores its potential to promote peace.