Cultural Exceptionalism vs. Liberal Universalism: The Geopolitical Implications of Russia and China’s Civilizational Claims

The rise of Russia and China as civilizational states poses a significant challenge to the liberal world order. This transformation signifies a shift in global dynamics, marked by the resurgence of cultural identity and civilizational states, changing the face of international politics and global balance of power.

The Concept of Civilizational States

The current global political landscape is increasingly influenced by cultural identity rather than ideology. China and Russia have reinvented themselves as civilizational states, emphasizing their unique cultural norms and traditions. This has led to a direct challenge to the Western-dominated liberal world order.

China’s rise is unique, representing both an ancient civilization and a modern state. It questions Western assumptions about democracy, governance, and human rights, offering a new development model and political discourse.

Russia, under Vladimir Putin, presents itself as neither wholly Western nor Asian but uniquely Eurasian, further defining its distinct civilizational identity.

Impact on Global Order

The rise of these civilizational states challenges the Western conception of a singular cosmopolitan order, leading to a divergence where nations like China and Russia assert their cultural and political self-identity. This results in a global shift from a vertically structured world order, with the West at the top, to a more horizontal one.

Western political power and moral authority are waning, leading to a rise in inspiration from non-Western cultures and civilizations, and an increasing rejection of American unipolar hegemony.

The global order is transitioning from one dominated by liberal universalism to one characterized by cultural exceptionalism. This transition is redefining geopolitics and challenging the universal validity of Western liberalism.

Implications and Challenges

The rise of civilizational states has sparked a global “culture war,” pitching Western liberal establishments against the illiberal powers of Russia and China. This has led to an ideological battle between cultural exceptionalism and liberal universalism.

The West is grappling with its own identity crises, with events like Brexit and the rise of populism reflecting a revolt against economic and social liberalism. This internal turmoil is weakening the Western model and undermining its influence in international affairs.

The emerging trade wars and technological competitions, such as the controversy surrounding Huawei, signify the beginning of a broader East-West confrontation over differing civilizational values and control over key technologies.

Cultural and Civilizational Identities

China’s political culture focuses on tangible benefits to its people rather than rhetorical democracy. The Chinese model prioritizes good governance and the substance of democracy over procedural democracy.

Russia uses civilizational arguments to justify its international interventions, as seen in the Middle East and in its relations with post-Soviet states.

The Way Forward

The current geopolitical landscape calls for a balance between individual rights and mutual obligations, and between freedom and fraternity outside authoritarian states or free markets. This requires a richer understanding of humans as social and political beings embedded in relationships and institutions.

The rise of civilizational states implies that future global debates and conflicts may not be dominated by Western perspectives. This presents an opportunity for a more inclusive and diverse global discourse.