"Asymmetry and international relations"

Professor Brantly Womack's presentation analyzed the differences in international relations cultures between the West and the East in the 1450s, and then related them to the modern era.

In the 1450s, an asymmetrical international relationship existed in the East, and specifically in Asia. China emerged as a center of stability with the largest population, resources, and territory among all countries and regions. The policy of the Ming Dynasty was to manage relations so that smaller countries would not become a threat; to build a model of smooth relations with smaller countries through a tribute system; to strengthen border security in the north, and to ensure stability beyond the Great Wall. For his part, in his relations with China, King Le Thanh Tong stabilized the country's leadership, introduced Confucianism into Dai Viet, maintained peaceful but independent relations with China, and pacified the territories of the Cham people in the south.

Conversely, in the Western Hemisphere, there was competition and counterweights for dominance. Professor Brantly Womack reviewed the kingdoms of several monarchs such as King Henry VI in England, King Charles VII in France, King Alfonso of the Kingdom of Navarre, Queen Isabella I of the Kingdom of Castile, and Pope Nicholas V. Through this, he argued that in Europe, kingdoms maximized relative power and maintained a balance of power. Therefore, there was no emergence of a fixed center like China in the East.

Professor Brantly Womack delivered the presentation.

This trend continued until 1500. After this point, Western countries such as England, France, and Spain emerged as superpowers by exploiting resources and labor from their colonies. However, they continued to fight each other in a symmetrical pattern. Life-or-death wars like World War I and World War II became more frequent, but they did not break the balance of power. During the Cold War, this symmetrical model was maintained between capitalist and socialist blocs. However, by the 21st century, the model of power competition has become less prominent in the face of globalization and the promotion of diverse, multi-faceted cooperation. In Asia, China is increasingly rising as the most influential power in all aspects, creating an asymmetry with other countries.

According to Professor Brantly Womack, modern international relations theory has so far been dominated by models of symmetrical relations and total war between great powers. The management of asymmetrical relations has not received adequate attention. He argues that in an asymmetrical relationship, instead of competing for power with the larger power, a smaller country can, on the one hand, submit to maintain peace, and on the other hand, develop relations with other countries to avoid excessive dependence. This is not only the case with Vietnam-China relations but also with other relationships such as the US-Cuba, Italy-Ethiopia, and Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia. Professor Brantly Womack also emphasizes the importance of building trust and respecting differences between countries in asymmetrical relationships.

Faculty, staff, and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities at the presentation.

Regarding Vietnam-China relations, Professor Brantly Womack expressed optimism about improving the asymmetrical bilateral relationship. On China's side, it needs to avoid creating tension in its relations with smaller Southeast Asian countries as well as with the superpower, the United States. China needs to demonstrate itself as a responsible and reliable partner to Southeast Asian nations, especially on sensitive issues such as the South China Sea dispute. For its part, Vietnam needs to maintain its autonomy without provoking or opposing China. Professor Brantly Womack suggested that Vietnam should diversify its international relations, avoid factionalism, strengthen unity within ASEAN, and maintain trust. The two countries need to build a stable asymmetrical relationship based on respect rather than confrontation.

Following the presentation, Professor Brantly Womack posed numerous questions to him on issues such as the hegemonic role of the United States in modern asymmetrical relations; the foreign policy of smaller countries like Vietnam and Thailand in their relations with major powers like the United States and China; the importance of the asymmetrical model in the medieval and modern periods compared to the present; the influence of Roman Catholicism on the symmetrical relations of European kingdoms in the 15th century; and the role of obedience in maintaining stable asymmetrical relations…