China’s impact upon the international world : An example

Update: The deal has been finalized

So this article in the New York Times touches upon what i’ve been meaning to write on for a very long time. I lightly addressed the political effects of China’s trade with Africa in a paper on the environmental impacts. The increasing role of China in the global economy, especially with developing nations may have a deleterious effect on international norms. China’s position as a leading developing nation, combined with the aid and trade policies it conducts in its search for natural resources, bring a very real possibility of establishing a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy with domestic politics and freedoms.

This engagement with Guinea, if still a possibility, is an example of that. Not only does it exemplify China’s disregard for its partners domestic politics, but points to the distabilizing effect such a policy can have upon the international community. It provides a norm of total sovereignty, where the standards of a global society are put on a backburner or ignored. 

First, it helps prop up a regime which shouldn’t exist in the first place. Providing financial backing and development aid for a government which has no accountability to its people and actively oppresses oposition.

Secondly, it creates a new international norm, establishing a behavior of total sovereignty, where a country’s internal politics and actions are entirely its own business. The Chinese government considers any act which may be seen as a criticism of its internal policies, or is even remotely related to its domestic politics, as meddling in internal affairs. Take for example the recent outcry over the recognition of the Dalai Llama’s humanitarian efforts. The government believes that what it does within its own borders is of no consequence or the business of any other state or organization. By extending aid with no strings attached China is extending such a policy to other countries.

One theory for the growth of democracy and governments is mutual recognition. A form of government grows in strength as it grows in existance. If a government declares its own form of government legitimate, and another country adopts a similar regime type, the former must recognize the later or else risk losing its own legitimacy. China recognizes corrupt regimes, ignoring politics for the sake of trade. Subsequently, government’s which normally would have a hard time seeking international recognition, can find it with China.

I’m still trying to flesh out the rest of my argument on the potential destabilization of norms in the international community. But in the meantime let this serve as an example of what I am trying to get at.