THE DRAGON'S JOURNEY TO THE WEST: CHINESE-LED ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE REFORMATION OF THE LIBERAL INTERNATIONAL ORDER

This thesis examines Beijing’s geopolitical strategy through its use of Chinese-led institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the internationalization of the renminbi and its implication on the Liberal International Order (LIO). The first portion of this paper focuses on the structure of the U.S. hegemonic ordering system and its relationship to the LIO framework. The main analytical portion of the thesis examines the extent to which China has progressed toward creating a new liberal order or a new illiberal order, or sustaining the current Western-led order. Research finds that China has displayed reformist, revisionist, and status quo characteristics across the international order spectrum. This suggests that China is pragmatic in its foreign policy, choosing to challenge norms and order in the institutions that it does not agree with, but maintains and upholds norms in institutions that benefit China. China is also routing around certain international orders while upholding others. Ultimately, China is a reformist state that looks to reshape the LIO more in line with Beijing’s interests; however, current international liberal norms will limit the extent to and the likelihood of success with which Beijing can reshape the world. http://archive.org/details/thedragonsjourne1094564040 Outstanding Thesis Captain, United States Air Force Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.