Competing for Attraction and Influence in Thailand: China’s Belt and Road, Connectivity, and Soft Power
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Abstract
What is the nexus between the growing connections among countries and soft power dynamics of attraction and influence in international relations? Despite claims of globalization retreat, most countries still value creating multidimensional linkages to improve their reputation while advancing their interests. Major actors like China can embrace these comprehensive strategies due to their attractive national features and capabilities. Beijing blends soft and economic power, promoting appealing sociocultural resources with financial incentives, as exemplified by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Other prominent actors, including Japan, the US, and the EU, have been eager to develop similar strategies. This has created a potentially constructive competitive environment, where each actor strives to outperform the others in this reputational race. How is this competition for prestige and influence taking shape in Thailand, a crucial node for Southeast Asian connectivity? This study investigates the multiple dimensions of connectivity – physical (i.e. infrastructure), digital, and sociocultural – emphasizing Thailand’s responses in line with the need to balance external influencers, and the implications for regional and global soft power competition. Despite lingering concerns over trustworthiness, China appears to be the most proactive ‘connector’ across a variety of domains, especially when blending soft and economic strategies. More broadly, this article also emphasizes the reasons why this form of competition should be favored over or at least combined with ‘harder’ forms, especially in these turbulent times.
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- เนื้อหาและข้อมูลที่ลงตีพิมพ์ในวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ถือเป็นข้อคิดเห็นและความรับผิดชอบของผู้เขียนบทความโดยตรง ซึ่งกองบรรณาธิการวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ ไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นด้วย หรือร่วมรับผิดชอบใดๆ
- บทความและข้อมูล ที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์ในวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ ถือเป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสาร หากบุคคลหรือหน่วยงานใดต้องการนำข้อมูลไปใช้ประโยชน์ในทางวิชาการ ขอให้อ้างอิงแหล่งที่มาด้วย
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