City Research Online

Abstract

This article examines China’s rapid and large-scale renewable energy expansion and the challenge it presents to orthodox approaches to sustainable energy diffusion that emphasise soft interventions and stakeholder participation. We show that China eschewed participatory modes of energy governance and pursued a centrally steered, hard interventionist strategy adapted to its non-democratic regime. We observe that China’s approach provides an alternative blueprint for development that is potentially attractive to some audiences. Drawing on recent soft power debates, we argue that China’s hard interventionist mode of governance in the renewables sector has the potential to enhance Chinese soft power both domestically and abroad.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright: Springer. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Journal of International Relations and Development. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Chen, G.Cf., Lees, C. Greening the Chinese Leviathan: China’s renewable energy governance as a source of soft power. J Int Relat Dev 25, 79–106 (2022) is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41268-021-00213-3. Use must not be for Commercial Purposes
Publisher Keywords:	China, Climate change politics, Renewables soft power
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory J Political Science > JQ Political institutions Asia
Departments:	School of Policy & Global Affairs
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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