자유주의 국제질서의 한계와 동아시아적 대안의 모색 = The Limits of the Liberal International Order and the Search for an East Asian Alternative"

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The global order of the 21st century faces unprecedented challenges, marked by overlapping crises and structural uncertainties that the liberal international order is increasingly unable to address. This paper critically examines the formation, evolution, and limitations of the liberal order while exploring the potential for an alternative framework grounded in East Asian philosophical traditions, particularly the concept of coexistence (共⽣). The analysis begins with the disintegration of the “Kissinger order” and the intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China, which have destabilized the ideological and institutional foundations of the liberal order. It further highlights how Western-led liberalism unilateralism, has nationalism, devolved into hegemonic and imperial interventions, undermining global governance. In response, this study proposes an alternative vision rooted in East Asian thought, drawing on the ideas of Gongsaeng (coexistence) and Datong (Great Unity). Central to this analysis is Zhao Tingyang’s “Tianxia system,” which reinterprets classical Chinese political philosophy as a relational and inclusive framework, contrasting with Kantian notions of world government. Unlike hierarchical and universalistic models, the East Asian paradigm prioritizes relational ethics, inclusivity, and harmony among diverse actors. This paper argues that a pluralist global order informed by East Asian principles offers a normative foundation for reimagining international cooperation and addressing transnational crises beyond the constraints of Western liberalism.