A Tacit Alliance: The Political Economy of Chinese– Iranian Relations

TL;DRAbstract

This paper examines the impact of trust and risk in Chinese–Iranian relations in ways which recognize the centrality of the role of rhetoric in the study of foreign and security policy. Rhetoric concerning China and Iran’s shared historical experiences, civilization lineage and friendly interactions runs parallel to the motivations of concrete interests and ambitions. Their interests are heavily intertwined through their economic and security policies, and dictate much that transpires between them. These interests would be no less important if stripped of their rhetorical garb. This study includes both a discussion of methodologies of constructivism and the debate on Chinese–Iranian relations, arguing for re-evaluation and recognition of the role of rhetoric in constructing and reinforcing perceived norms and values which underpin assessments of trust and risk. This is of particular interest where formal alliances are absent, since the presence of the constraints of such agreements neg

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