China, the UN and Human Rights: Implications for World Politics

Description

Addressing the problem of reconciling China’s voting record in the UN on human rights and repressive policy at home, this book argues that domestic factors determine the way the Chinese government acts on wider human rights issues. China has a very active voting record in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on human rights resolutions and is active internationally on such rights, something at odds with its increasing repression of human rights at home. Using rational choice’s emphasis on actors acting to advance their preferences, the author argues that it is the perceived domestic threat to the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that determines the way the Chinese government acts on the human rights issues explored in this book. The author documents the pattern of this relationship through an in-depth examination of China’s voting in the UNGA on human rights issues, and statements made by Chinese delegates in the UN on human rights issues. This book will appeal to students of China, human rights, international relations, and international organizations, and for both state and non-state actors seeking to advance policy changes regarding China and human rights. In addition, the findings have policy implications for INGOs and states seeking to influence China’s policies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of tables Acknowledgments Introduction The significance of UNGA voting Human rights Key terms Strategic calculation The relationship between core interests and threat to CCP rule China’s selective voting in the affirmative for human rights resolutions in the UNGA Chinese assertiveness in the post-2008 world Outline of the book Conclusion Notes References 1. Human rights according to China Different types of human rights Explanatory dimensions: (1) sovereignty, (2) Asian values, (3) economic sanctions, and (4) naming and shaming Rational choice/strategic calculations Research approach Conclusion Notes References 2. China’s actions over the years on human rights and international politics: more of the same or fundamental change? Core interests China’s evolving role in global affairs: unwilling to take any risks that may pose a threat to itself China’s stated non-interference policy China’s alignment with developing countries China’s evolution on norms and human rights Scholars and PRC dissidents on China’s actions regarding human rights Why UNGA voting is important and significance of IOs Xi Jinping’s rule and the lack of civil society in China Conclusion Notes References 3. Concern about the domestic threat Introduction Human rights events and China’s perceived threat to CCP rule Conclusion Notes References 4. China’s voting on non-country-specific human rights resolutions China’s voting behavior on human rights resolutions in the UNGA Implications for the UN and human rights Conclusion Notes References 5. Calling out developed countries, but protecting developing countries: China’s voting on country-specific human rights issues Introduction Chinese UNGA country-specific voting behavior and statements Conclusion Notes References Conclusion Explaining why the four approaches do not hold Implications of the The role of BRI/China’s economic power regarding human rights globally Implications for human rights Summary and implications of the main Notes References Index