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Journals / Adam Akademi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1

Tianxia: The Use of an Ancient Concept in Contemporary International Relations

Tianxia: Antik bir Kavramın Günümüz Uluslararası İlişkilerinde Kullanımı

Mehmet Furkan Ergül

Pages
259–278
Publication Date
2026-05-14
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Abstract

The term “tianxia,” translating to “under the skies/heaven,” holds significant prominence in ancient Chinese philosophy. Its relevance persists today, as it is employed by Chinese scholars across various disciplines, including sociology, theology, political science, and international relations (IR). This study examines and categorizes the distinct applications of the tianxia concept by Chinese and Taiwanese scholars within the IR discipline. Notable scholars who have integrated this concept into their IR theories include Zhao Tingyang, Yan Xuetong, and Shih Chih-yu. The research identifies three divergent interpretations of tianxia from an IR perspective: Firstly, Zhao Tingyang envisions tianxia as a world system offering a more humane alternative to the Western Westphalian framework. Secondly, Yan Xuetong's interpretation emerges from his analysis of pre-Qin dynasty Chinese scholarly thought; he perceives tianxia as a balance of power in international relations where moral authority supersedes material strength. Lastly, Shih Chih-yu's conception acknowledges its Chinese roots while aspiring to universalize it. By defining tianxia as inherently relational among all nation-states rather than exclusively pertaining to China or East Asian countries, he endeavors to render it applicable on a global scale.

Özet

“Gökyüzünün/cennetin altı” anlamına gelen “tianxia” terimi, antik Çin felsefesinde önemli bir yere sahiptir. Sosyoloji, ilahiyat, siyaset bilimi ve uluslararası ilişkiler de dahil olmak üzere çeşitli disiplinlerde Çinli akademisyenler tarafından kullanıldığı için günümüzde de geçerliliğini korumaktadır. Bu çalışma, tianxia kavramının Uluslararası İlişkiler (Uİ) disiplini içerisinde Çinli ve Tayvanlı akademisyenler tarafından farklı uygulamalarını incelemekte ve kategorize etmektedir. Bu kavramı Uİ teorilerine entegre eden önemli akademisyenler arasında Zhao Tingyang, Yan Xuetong ve Shih Chih-yu yer almaktadır. Çalışma, Uİ perspektifinden tianxia'nın üç farklı yorumunu ele almaktadır: İlk olarak, Zhao Tingyang tianxia'yı Batılı Westphalian çerçeveye daha insancıl bir alternatif sunan bir dünya sistemi olarak öngörmektedir. İkinci olarak, Yan Xuetong'un yorumu, Qin hanedanı öncesi Çin akademik düşüncesinin analiziyle ortaya çıkmıştır ve tianxia'yı uluslararası ilişkilerde ahlaki otoritenin maddi gücün önüne geçtiği bir güç dengesi olarak algılamaktadır. Son olarak, Shih Chih-yu'nun anlayışı tianxia'yı evrenselleştirmeyi amaçlarken onun Çinli kökenlerini de kabul etmektedir. Shih, tianxia'yı sadece Çin veya Doğu Asya ülkelerine özgü olmaktan ziyade tüm ulus-devletler arasında doğal olarak ilişkisel olarak tanımlayarak, onu küresel ölçekte uygulanabilir hale getirmeye çalışmaktadır.

Keywords
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Cite This Article

Ergül, M. F. (2026). Tianxia: The Use of an Ancient Concept in Contemporary International Relations. Adam Akademi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 259–278. https://doi.org/10.31679/adamakademi.1582275

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