Minhui Jia Member of the IR Learning & Research Community Professor Colette Mazzucelli

 Institutions are controlled by big countries to achieve their own interests. Decisions are made by the big countries.  Bipolar system is the most stable. “With only two great powers, both can be expected to maintain the system.” (Waltz 1979: 204)

 International institutions can be independent from big countries. They can promote cooperation between states.  Study the emergence of “international regimes” There are some circumstances that states will give up power to international institutions to achieve mutual benefit.

 Earlier name: Shanghai Five  China + Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan  Russia  Observer States, Dialogue Partners

 Security based. Control the “three evils” of international terrorism, separatism and extremism. China --- Xinjiang separatists Russia --- Chechnya separatists  Provide an international forum without the US

 Hasn’t developed and achieved other goals.  Proposals for further cooperation and expanding membership haven’t gone anywhere.

 China: From 2003, Prime Minister Wen started to propose moving SCO towards a free trade area.  Russia: From 2005, Russia sponsors India and Iran as observers and continues to push them to obtain full membership.  So far, no progress on either.

 Access to natural resources from Central Asian countries.  Markets

 Many experts believe Russia wants to expand SCO so dilute China’ control.  Propose India and Iran to join SCO to balance China.  Putin’s global economy plan --- “Eurasian Union”, formed by post-Soviet countries without China.

 Neorealism --- No. SCO is controlled by China and Russia and does not have its own influence. China and Russia have conflicted goals to achieve. They will never make an agreement at SCO meetings.

 Institutional Liberalism --- Yes, if Russia and China could use SCO to build a new regime for mutual benefits, which will put limits on their actions.

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