International relations: China abolishes the one-child policy - Essay Example

International relations; China abolishes the one-child policy Introduction According to Sutch & Elias (2007, pp. 19-28), international relations isa branch of political science that is concerned with foreign affairs and the relationship among countries. The study of international relations holds the thought that no single jurisdiction can operate independent from others, thus countries and nations must interact in a specific manner to foster their growth, development as well as sustainability. International relation in this regard is a field synonymous to the global study, whereby the study of international relations necessitates the learner to take a focus on other areas such as social sciences and humanities. These fields help in painting a picture on the relationship between countries and the role of the sovereign nations, non-governmental organizations as well as multinational corporations with a critical analysis of the impacts of these kinds of relationship. International relations is progressively becoming relevant to today’s society. The relationship between global powers is becoming more relevant as issues that are relevant to different states are becoming increasingly entangled with the interest of their fellow countries abroad. Working with an example of the relationship between the United States and the Syrian crisis, the involvement of the United States in Syria is increasingly becoming a contentious issue among individuals who would have otherwise not had been interested in the relationship with the United States International relations is thus an exceptionally important aspect of citizens in the global society, making the topic of international relations one worth understanding. As the world becomes increasingly smaller through aspects like advancements in technology, as communication technology, rapid air transportation as well as a complex international economy, the necessity of peaceful and cooperative relationship among countries is of undisputed importance. In historical perspective, one of the oldest expressions of international relations was the establishment of treaties. Adherence to these agreements ensured that ordinary citizens could transact their businesses in a tranquil manner; thus international relations is necessary for peaceful purposes. Moreover, on economic aspect, positive international relations is significant in the promotion of trade policies thus resulting to development (Lake 2008, pp.41–61). The study of international relationship is an important aspect as it helps the learner to understand the importance and values of facts like immigration. Other than transportation of goods over international borders, people frequently migrate between countries looking for opportunities to enhance their lives. Additionally, international relations help in addressing problems of global concern. In many circumstances, nations face global issues that are larger than any individual country, or even a continent can tackle. These concerns could include those on the environment, terrorism, and pandemics. Effective international relations is thus an essential requirement for the solution of these problems, hence allowing nations to pull together resources and technocrats in the solution of problems of global concern (Brown 2005, pp.137–144). In an attempt to understand the role and nature of international relation in the business world, this paper is purposed to analyze the subject through an inference in a case study concerning the Chinese one-child policy, why it has been abandoned and the implications for abandoning the one-child policy in the business world. Moreover, this is going to be integrated with analysis of the case based on its political, economic, social and technological (PEST) impact on the market, including on its implications for the competitors. The paper is equally purposed to analyze the topic of international relations through an inference on some of the most critical theories on the topic being the theories of realism, institutionalism and constructivism, by comparing and contrasting the theories concerning their contribution to international relations. Literature review The theory of realism According to Wohlforth (2011, pp.499–511), realism is defined as a faithful representation of reality or verisimilitude. Concerning international relations, realism is a school of thought that is based on the four central pillars, which are egoism, groupism, power politics and international anarchy. The theory of realism emerged as international relations based approach in the interwar rears of the twentieth century. According to the theory of realism, the states are the main actors in international politics as opposed to individuals or international organization. In international politics, there is no supranational authority; thus the international political system is anarchic. The actors in the international political system are rational individuals as their actions maximize their self-interest. The theory also asserts that all states in an international platform desire power to ensure their self-preservation. According to the theory of realism, there is no universal principle through which all states may direct their actions. Nevertheless, a state must constantly be aware of the actions of other states around it and must, in this case, use a pragmatic approach to resolving problems that approach. Realism is a theory that advocates for diplomatic ways to the solution of international issues. The theory of institutionalism Institutionalism is a theory that focuses on the role of institutions in the resolution of international issues. Institutions study has a long pedigree as it draws insight from the previous works in a broad scope of disciplines like political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. In international relations, institutionalism comprises a group of different theories on international relations, including functionalism and neo-functionalism approaches, state cartel theory and regime theory, which have in common their focus on the structure and the functionality of the international system (Fioretos 2011, pp.367–399). According to the regime theory, which is a component of the institutionalism theory, the international system is not in a practical anarchy but has an explicit or implicit structure, which determines the manner with which states act within the system. According to the state cartel theory, states are searching for advantage by cooperating or by fighting out conflicts. Institutionalism theory differs from the theory of realism in its assertion that states are not in a state of anarchy, but there is a programmed manner through which states act in the achievement of their goals. However, the theories are similar on the ground that all countries seek for power and would like to dominate other states in economic as well as in social spheres as a means of ensuring the safeguarding of their interests (Fioretos 2011, pp.367–399). The theory of constructivism According to Nugroho (2008, pp.85–98) the theory of constructivism holds that important aspects of international relations are socially and historically constructed. The theory is purposed to demonstrate how primary aspects of international relations are, which is contrary to the assumption of realism theory, which asserts that the aspects of international relations are given their form by the ongoing processes of interaction and social practice. During the formative period of the theory of constructivism, neorealism was the dominant theory in international relations. Neorealism holds that majority of the significant content of international politics can only be explained by the structure of the international system. Constructivism challenges this assumption by showing that the causal powers attributed to the structure rest in the way in which the structure is constructed and not given. Case study; China abandons one child policy Historical perspective of the one child policy In 1940’s, during the leadership of Mao Zedong, the Chinese crude death rate fell from 37/1000 to 20/1000, with infant mortality rate falling from 227/1000 to 53/1000 between 1949 and 1981. During this period, life expectancy increased from 35 years in 1948 to 66 years in 1976. Up to 1960’s, the communist government of China encouraged families to have as many children as possible because, in accordance with the communist ideologies, population growth was viewed as an important pillar in the empowerment of the country (Rosenberg 2011). From 1949 to 1976, the population of China grew from around 549 million to 940 million, thus prompting the government to encourage citizens in 1970’s to marry at later ages and to have only two children. Despite the significant decline in fertility rate in 1970’s, the communist government observed the global debate over the possibility of overpopulation and its adverse effects as suggested by international organizations such as the Club of Rome. During his visit to Europe in 1979, Song Jian, who was a top official of the Communist Party, got in touch with one of the influential books of movements advocating for population reduction. In collaboration with a group of mathematicians, song determined that the correct population of China should have been 700 million, for the resources of the country to adequately and effectively supply the needs of the population. Following the identification of the gaps in the surge of the Chinese population, a plan was prepared to reduce the population to a desirable level by 2080. The one child policy was one of the central pillars of the population reduction plan and despite some of the fiercest critics of the plan within the party; the one-child policy was adopted in 1979 as the principal instrument for social engineering (Potts 2006, pp.361–362). The one child policy designed to be a one-generation policy was enforced at provincial level with the enforcement of the policy varying from one province to another and with some exceptions in relation to ethnicity. After the third plenum of the 18th central committee of the communist party in 2013, the government announced a decision to relax the one-child policy. Under the new policy, families would be allowed to have two children if one of the parents was an only child. In 2015, the government of China has allowed families to have two children in response to an ageing population as well as over economic concerns. The abolition of the one-child policy followed a four-day Communist Party summit in Beijing where the top leadership of the country debated on the financial reforms and the means maintaining economic growth. The move to abolish the one-child policy is purposed to increase the number of the working population as a means of increasing industrial productivity as well as stabilizing the economic status of the country (Hvistendahl 2010, pp.1458–1461). PEST analysis Political The abolishment of one child policy for two kids is an issue of political interest not only in China but also among the international community. In the current geopolitical situation, China is one of the most developed and stable countries that is turned to in case of international turmoil for aid. The abolition of the one-child policy is thus seen as a move to ensure that only the members of the country use the political and social resources of the country. In this regard, the adoption of two children policy will see an increase in the population of the country. An increase in the Chinese population will interfere with international politics as China would be more interested in providing for the needs of its expanding population as opposed to concentrating on international factors (James Manktelow & Amy Carlson 2012, pp.9–11). Inferring to the current international political situation, the Syrian refugee crisis is a crucial factor that demands international attention. Owing to the current situation, European nations are stretching their political and financial limits in accommodating the increasing number of the Syrian immigrants. In relation to the adoption of the two children policy in China, despite its enormous economic resources, China would not be able to lend a hand in mitigation of international crises like the Syrian case due to political pressure to provide first to its growing population and its demands. Economic Abolition of one child policy by the government of China has a mixed implication on the economic situation of the country and the international trade. Based on the internal economy and with regard to the per capita income, the abolition of the one-child policy is helpful in relieving the economic burden of caring for the senior citizens. Traditionally, the one-child policy resulted in the development of the “four-two-one” problem. This implied that under the system, one child would be charged with the responsibility of providing for the ageing two parents and four grandparents. The adoption of the two-child policy would thus reduce the dependency rate hence increase the per capita income in the economy (Fan 2015, pp. 63-84). On an international platform, the introduction of the two children policy in the country will ensure an increase in the working population who will be sufficient in the replacement of the ageing population. The increase in the number of the Chinese working population would resultantly lead to an increment in the number of technocrats and specialists in the country. This implies that china would be in a position to compete favorably with other world powers in terms of industrial production, innovation and in other high-tech sectors like communication. Moreover, the two-child policy would increase the population of the country, thus increasing the local demands of the industrial products. China in this regard will become increasingly reliant on its local markets thus the abolition of the one-child policy will be a significant changer of the international trade (James Manktelow & Amy Carlson 2012, pp.9–11). Social The abolition of the one-child policy bears some significant social impacts to the country as well as in the international community. The abolition of the policy would resultantly lead to a change in the lifestyle. With the one child policy, some parents over indulged their only children. Overindulgence on one child by the parents created poor communication and cooperating skills among generations. Nevertheless, with the adoption of the two-child policy, there is a prospect of an increase in social communication and cooperation among siblings, which will resultantly lead to the creation of a cooperative attitude in the country. Internationally, the adoption of two-child policy will help in the reduction of the rate of child tourism. During the one-child policy, couples who intended to give birth to a second child often traveled to other countries, like giving birth to a second country was an exemption to the one-child policy. Socially, reduction in birth tourism would help in changing the perception of Chinese on the need to travel to other countries and assist in reducing population increase in countries like the United States, which is partially attributed to birth tourism (Chen et al. 2010, pp.126–150). Technological Adoption of the two-child policy in China would necessitate an increase in technological advancement to help in meeting the increasing demands of the population in terms of technology. An increase in population will mean an increase in demand for technological activities like communication mode, transportation and technological businesses such as the e-pay. The adoption of the two-child policy would thus see China increasing its momentum in technological development that would offer a threat to other technologically advanced countries like the United States (Nichols 2008, pp.437–450). Review of the case The abolition of the one-child policy by China sharply contradicts the international relations theory of realism. According to the theory of realism, there is no universal principle through which states may direct their actions; however, this is contravened in the adoption of the two-child policy, which is purposed to influence the pattern of economic growth of the country. Nevertheless, the policy borrows from other aspects of the theory of realism that state that countries must operate while conscious of the actions of others. In this regard, China is aware that a continued practice of the one child policy will render the nation void of the working population; hence, the country will not be able to compete favorably with others on an international platform (Rosenberg 2011, pp. 27-41). The adoption of the two-child policy substantially borrows from the theories of institutionalism. In international platform and China, in particular, institutions like the communist party of China have a crucial role in shaping various aspects of the society. These institutions influence both the social, political and economic aspects of the society, which resultantly have an impact on the international level. The decision by the communist party to adopt the two-child policy in this regard not only has an implication on China, but also on the global platform. The decision determines the manner with which the country conducts trade with other states as well as the nature of competition between China and other countries due to an impending increase in domestic demand due to increased population. Conclusion The study of international relations is an important undertaking as it helps in giving an insight of the current situation, which is necessary in prediction, and planning for future situations. Understanding how countries relate in terms of economics, politics or socially helps in understanding the reasons for adoption of some policies by countries. Analysis of the Chinese two-child policy helps in understanding the political, economic, social and technological situation of China, which when integrated with theories of international relation elaborates the nature of current and future relationship between China and other countries (James Manktelow & Amy Carlson 2012, pp.9–21). Bibliography Brown, C., 2005. 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