• Thu, 14/07/2016
• 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
• Bilik Mesyuarat FSSK

  Synopsis  

That international politics can be conceived as a game with its own special rules is a truism for most analysts of the subject. World leaders repeatedly invoke the “rules of the game” in their diplomatic entreaties, suggesting that it is one of the most beloved metaphors for the way we think about, and practice, international politics. Consider for example, the European Council on Foreign Relations lament that “The problem for the West is one of fading power to set the rules of the game. We-- Europe and the US--are no longer running the world and no longer have the means and power to set the rules of the game in international relations.”   But what exactly are those rules? Can you list, on a single sheet of paper, the top ten rules of the international politics game? Khong could not, so he decided to research and write a short book about those rules. In his talk, Khong will present his evolving list for discussion and debate. His list of the ten rules is based on his understanding of what makes international politics tick. The operating assumption is that a conversation about the rules of the game will become increasingly important in international relations as rising and established powers negotiate the (new?) rules that should guide their interactions with one another.

  Bio

KHONG Yuen Foong is Li Ka Shing Professor of Political Science at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Prior to joining the School in August 2015, he taught at Oxford (1994-2015) and Harvard (1987-1994) Universities. He has also served as a research adviser to the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His research interests include United States foreign policy, the international relations of the Asia Pacific, and cognitive approaches to international relations. Recent publications include “The American Tributary System,” The Chinese Journal of International Politics (2013) and “The United States Response to China’s Rise,” International Security, (2013/2014). He is currently working on two long term projects, "International Politics: The Rules of the Game" and "The American Tributary System".