The illiberal trading state
| Date | 01 January 2013 |
| Published date | 01 January 2013 |
| Author | Quddus Z Snyder |
| DOI | 10.1177/0022343312460394 |
| Subject Matter | Research Articles |
The illiberal trading state: Liberal systemic
theory and the mechanism of socialization
Quddus Z Snyder
Center for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland
Abstract
Liberal systemic theory is built on the assumption that the system’s dominant configuration is a Kantian confedera-
tion of major powers. In addition to being a democratic cluster, the liberal core is also a capitalist club. This article
pushes systemic and socialization theory forward by introducing the mechanism of economic competition as an
important driver of socialization. The article develops a theory of system-level competition, arguing that it is a distinct
and co-equal mechanism of socialization to the established mechanisms of persuasion, inducement, and coercion.
The article proposes a three-staged model of socialization that explains how prominent rising powers such as Turkey,
India, Brazil, and China are being socialized into the liberal system. At the first phase, competitive pressure, outsiders
are led to orient themselves toward the core out of a fear of falling behind and a desire to access network benefits. At
the second phase, rushing, outsiders behave in pro-norm ways and make significant concessions in order to gain
inclusion in the core’s institutional complex. At the third phase, internalization, external norms become embedded
in domestic legal institutional structures and a robust pro-norm domestic coalition emerges. The article uses the case
of China to illustrate the model and lend it some initial empirical support in one hard case.
Keywords
capitalism, China, competition, socialization, system
Introduction
At roughly the same historical juncture – that is to say,
between the 1970s and early 1990s – important
countries in every region of the world began a process
of economic liberalization and integration into the
liberal-capitalist system. These include large countries
that are now commonly referred to as ‘rising powers’
such as India, Brazil, Turkey, and China. That such a
diverse array of non-Western countries underwent this
shift at roughly the same time suggests that external,
system-level dynamics may be at work (Waltz, 1979).
The empirical record opens the possibility of a systemic
theory that might account for the outward expansion of
the liberal order. An important body of literature
explores the system-level liberal peace and the outward
expansion of the democratic zone.
1
System-level democratic peace theory began with
important efforts to explore the ‘third image’ dimensions
of Kant’s writings (Huntley, 1996; Harrison, 2002).
Since then, a growing body of system-level democratic
peace scholarship has emerged (Cederman, 2001a,b;
Mitchell, 2002; Harrison, 2004). A strong empirical cor-
relation has been found between global democracy and
systemic peace (Gleditsch & Hegre, 1997; Mitchell,
Gates & Hegre, 1999; Crescenzi & Enterline, 1999;
Kadera, Crescenzi & Shannon, 2003).
The value added of a system-level democratic peace
theory is in explaining how the democratic core is
expanding outward. The concentration of democracies
in the system has reached a critical threshold that many
believe was passed when the Soviet Union collapsed
(Huntley, 1996; Harrison, 2002). The liberal core now
represents the system’s dominant configuration (Snyder,
1
For a review see Harrison (2010).
Corresponding author:
Juusto@hotmail.com
Journal of Peace Research
50(1) 33–45
ªThe Author(s) 2012
Reprints and permission:
sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0022343312460394
jpr.sagepub.com
p
eace
R
ESEARCH
journal of
To continue reading
Request your trial