Beyond the nation-state from geopolitical discourse to civilizational dialogues edited by Roger T. Ames and Jae Young Lee

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Ames, Roger T., 1947- editor.

Lee, Jae Young, editor.

Series:

Confucian cultures

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

East and West.

Civilization--Political aspects--Philosophy.

International relations--Philosophy.

Diplomatic relations--Philosophy.

Globalization--Philosophy.

Confucianism and world politics.

Civilization, Western--Chinese influences.

China.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Honolulu University of Hawai'i Press [2026]

Summary:

In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation and global crises, how can we envision a more stable and inclusive planetary order? This pioneering volume calls for a radical rethinking of international relations--moving beyond the Westphalian state system to embrace a civilizational dialogue rooted in shared histories, values, and mutual concern. The collection brings together leading scholars to explore the idea of tianxia (All under heaven) as a conceptual and moral framework for reimagining global order. Drawing from East Asian traditions and others, contributors interrogate concepts like empire, liberalism, Confucianism, and cosmopolitanism to assess the possibilities of intercultural cooperation in a post-national future. At the heart of the book is a critical yet hopeful proposition: that civilizational dialogues--despite the exclusionary implications of such discourse--can help us imagine planetary futures beyond binaries like "the West and the Rest." Instead of universalizing one worldview, the chapters advocate for "differing for one another," a relational equity that acknowledges diversity and fosters solidarity through accommodation, empathy, and shared planetary concerns such as climate, pandemics, and global justice. With contributions spanning political theory and comparative philosophy to historical reflection and Confucian civic education, Beyond the Nation-State offers not only a critique of current global paradigms but also a constructive path forward

Contents:

Empires as vectors and vehicles of civilization / Krishan Kumar

The age of universality and planetary pragmatism / Lorenzo Marsili

Toward the civilization of universals : Tianxia put to the test in the new dialogue with universal others / Emmanuel Desfourneaux

Humanism, civilizational dialogue, and China’s role : Irving Babbitt versus John Dewey, one hundred years on / Yiqun Zhou

Tianxia : An alternative model of global justice / Li Yong

The Tianxia model and its American liberal complement / Martin J. Powers

Building trust amidst global disorder : The Confucian aspiration to bring peace to Tianxia / Sor-hoon Tan

Sublating the civilizational dialogue : Chinese modernization and two kinds of Confucianism / Jana S. Rošker

Confucian civic education : A potential contribution to establishing a harmonious planetary order / Hong Cheng

Neo-Confucianism as cosmopolitan democracy : Impartial mind as a solution to the legitimation gap / Inho Choi

Daoist temporality and its modern relevancies / Dingxin Zhao

From individual autonomy and equality to relational equity and diversity : Rethinking the relationship between China and the liberal West / Roger T. Ames

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (De Gruyter Brill, viewed September 1, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version Beyond the nation-state

ISBN:

9798880703463

9798880703470

9798880703487

OCLC:

1609509190

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license