"Beijing’s Global Opposition Campaign" by CWP alum Todd Hall

The conventional literature on power transitions warns that a rising challenger may seek to dethrone the established power by launching a devastating great-power war. The contemporary international environment, however, differs from that of the past, creating incentives to avoid a major conflagration and instead employ a strategy of amassing international support and improving institutional standing. Given these strategic aims, as a rising power, China is more likely to adopt tactics analogous to a domestic opposition party: promoting an alternative political programme with slogans and manifestos; seeking a greater institutional presence by building support with coalitions and patronage relationships; and using political communications to portray itself positively in contrast to the incumbent power. Based on an examination of three domains of China’s behaviour, this analogy sheds light on the tactics it is using to pursue a greater international leadership role.

Bailey, H., & Hall, T. (2026). Beijing’s Global Opposition Campaign. Survival, 68(1), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396338.2026.2620294

Professor Hall earned his PhD from the University of Chicago in 2008 and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton and Harvard, as well as visiting scholar appointments at the Free University of Berlin, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and the University of Tokyo. Prior to joining the University of Oxford, Professor Hall held the position of Assistant Professor in Political Science at the University of Toronto (2010-2013). Research interests extend to the areas of international relations theory; the intersection of emotion, affect, and foreign policy; and Chinese foreign policy. Recent publications include articles in International Organization, International Security, International Studies Quarterly, International Studies Review, Political Psychology, Political Science Quarterly, and Security Studies. Professor Hall has also published a book with Cornell University Press, titled Emotional Diplomacy: Official Emotion on the International Stage, which was recently named co-recipient of the International Studies Association's 2016 Diplomatic Studies Section Book Award.

Photo Credit: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00396338.2026.2620294