Chinese Scholars and Think Tanks' Constructions of China's National Interest

Sabine Mokry is a researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg. In addition, she is an associate at the German Institute for Global and Areas Studies (GIGA). Her work examines how domestic factors shape China's foreign and security policy.

• 1. IntroductionArgument in briefContributionsData & methodsPlan of the book2. Theory and Empirical StrategyExperts’ ideas and China’s national interestDebates about China’s national interestUnderstanding China’s national interest as constructedExperts’ ideas and the construction of China’s national interestThe intervening role of domestic structuresExperts’ proximity to the stateThe state’s signaled demand for expertiseExamining experts’ influenceStrategies for addressing challengesEmpirical implementationConclusions3. Foreign Policy-Making in China and Chinese ExpertsForeign policy-making in ChinaThe outer circle of foreign policy-making in ChinaThink TanksScholarsThe mechanisms of Chinese experts’ influenceThink TanksScholarsXi Jinping’s tightened controlConclusions4. Experts’ Influence on the Construction of China’s National InterestOverarching changes in the construction of China’s national interestShifts in policy substanceQuantitative analysis of scholars’ and think tanks’ influenceInfluenced policy shifts: an overviewConclusions5. Distant Experts’ InfluenceDistant think tanks’ influence on the construction of China’s national interestDistant think tanks’ characteristicsHigh demand for expertise signaled by the stateHow distant analysts shaped policy shiftsDistant scholars’ influence on the construction of China’s national interestDistant scholars’ characteristicsHigh demand for expertise signaled by the stateHow distant scholars shaped policy shiftsConclusions6. Close Experts’ InfluenceShifts in the demand for expertise signaled by the stateClose think tanks’ influence on the construction of China’s national interestClose think tanks’ characteristicsHow close analysts shaped policy shiftsClose scholars’ influence on the construction of China’s national interestClose scholars’ characteristicsHow close scholars shaped policy shifts7. ConclusionsExperts’ influence on the construction of China’s national interestScholarly implicationsImplications for understanding China’s foreign policyImplications for researching experts and policyLimitations and further researchPolicy implications

"This first-rate book is an innovative and rigorous account of how policy analysts in China can influence the development of national interests and flesh out policy concepts emanating from leaders. It explains the important role these analysts play as policy agents and policy conduits."- Alastair Iain Johnston, Harvard University"Mokry’s book provides invaluable insights into China’s foreign policy by revealing how Chinese scholars and policy experts shape national interests and influence decision-making. It is essential reading for anyone striving to understand China’s behaviors and their far-reaching implications for the global order."- Kai He, Professor of International Relations, Griffith University"Foreigners often engage Chinese think tanks to understand and critique China’s foreign policy. But can think tanks influence an authoritarian state? Which ones? And how? Sabine Mokry’s pathbreaking book answers these questions with insight, rigor, and painstaking research."- Thomas J. Christensen, Director, Columbia University China and the World Program