Eu-China Relations in an Evolving Multipolar International System: A Comparative Analysis of Neo-Classical Realism and Neo-Realism

Abstract

The EU and China have been competing great powers with their capacities and capabilities at a time when the international system has evolved into multipolarity. In the current conjuncture, the demise of US unipolarity may have an easing effect on EU-China relations. The main research question of this article is: "How can neo-classical realism explain EU-China relations in comparison with neo-realism?". The claim that the multipolar international system leads to great power rivalry is the major reason why the neo-classical realist perspective constitutes the major theoretical framework of this article. This article argues that "EU-China relations can be better understood by utilising the explanatory and predictive power of neo-classical realism when compared to neo-realism". The article evaluates EU-China relations with the help of three case examples to support its argument. The study first presents an overview of the major claims and general scope of neo-realism and identifies this theory's limitations in explaining EU-China relations. Then, the weaknesses of neo-realism in explaining the international system are analysed with the help of neo-classical realism in order to demonstrate why neoclassical realism offers a more explanatory framework in analysing EU-China relations.