International relations specialist Yan Syuetun delivers a lecture in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Rewritten Article:
Meet Professor Yan Xuedun, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University and a renowned voice in global politics. He recently shared his thoughts on the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations' expert lecture project, sponsored by the multimedia project "Qalam".
A pioneering figure in international relations theory, Yan Xuedun is the founder of moral realism, a concept that blends ethics with power politics. His extensive body of work, including seminal pieces on leadership and international politics, has made him one of the leading minds in his field. As the chief editor of the prestigious journal "The Chinese Journal of International Politics", he continues to shape discussions on global politics.
During his lecture, Yan Xuedun delved into the intricacies of moral realism, a direction within political realism that emphasizes the importance of both power and ethics in shaping global leadership. According to this theory, powerful states are not only driven by economic and military prowess, but also by moral values and ethical accountability.
The professor outlined different types of political leadership and demonstrated how major powers shape the contemporary global agenda. He lauded Kazakhstan as a middle power making significant contributions to regional processes.
Throughout his lecture, the esteemed expert also praised the Kazakhstan-China bilateral cooperation.
When it comes to moral realism, ethics play a crucial role. It advocates for prudent and responsible decision-making, balancing power dynamics with ethical responsibility. This means avoiding unnecessary conflict and prioritizing security, all while being mindful of human nature's inherent drive for power.
Moral realists propose various strategies, from pragmatic realism, which relies on military and economic power, to ethical realism, which combines power politics with moral imperatives. Offensive realists, on the other hand, strive for hegemony through aggressive action, while defensive realists focus on maintaining security by balancing power.
As an example, during the Cold War, the U.S. and USSR relied on nuclear arsenals as a deterrent, reflecting the principle of mutually assured destruction (MAD). Today, Russia's actions in Ukraine and Georgia demonstrate classic realist motives of territorial security.
However, it's important to note that not all strategies alignment with realist principles. The European Union, for instance, promotes democracy as a means to exert influence, a move that challenges the traditional realist focus on raw power.
In essence, moral realism asserts that prudent statecraft cannot ignore the moral consequences of its actions. Yan Xuedun's lecture underscores the importance of ethical considerations in global politics, emphasizing the need for responsible statecraft that prioritizes both power and accountability.
- Professor Yan Xuedun, a specialist in moral realism and the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, shared his thoughts on Kazakhstan's significant contributions to regional processes during his lecture on the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations' expert lecture project.
- As a leading voice in global politics and the founder of moral realism, Yan Xuedun expounded on the importance of combining power and ethics in shaping global leadership during his lecture.
- In his lecture, Yan Xuedun praised Kazakhstan's role as a middle power and highlighted the importance of ethical accountability in decision-making, emphasizing the need for prudent and responsible statecraft.
- Throughout his career, Yan Xuedun, the chief editor of "The Chinese Journal of International Politics," has authored numerous works on leadership and international politics, reflecting his commitment to education-and-self-development and personal-growth through learning.
