The Diplomacy Of The Song State During The Jin And Chu State Competing For A Super-state

During the Jin and Chu competing for a super-state, Song is a mediumpowerful country no matter in economy or in politics. In addition, itsgeographic location in the middle between those two countries makes it astrategic place not only to Jin but also to Chu;therefore it becomes a place forboth to contend. Because of this Song is intruded by these two countriescontinually. In this way, how Song deals with the relationship with Jin, Chuand its neighbors directly determines its destiny – survive or perish. In thisthesis, it describes Song's diplomacy during the Jin and Chu competing for asuper-state, under the background of international big issues, through theessential historic fact and with the combination of history and theory. It willshow the continuity in the progress, and the progress in the continuity.In the preface,there is two sections. The word "diplomacy" has a strongmodern color, and some scholar does not take the communication betweenvassals during Spring-Autumn period for "diplomacy", so first it will simplyexplain this. By analysis we will discover, the main body of diplomacy inmodern sense means the state in independent position. Herewith we think thatthe vassals during that time have had powerful independent positions, thustheir communication can be called "diplomacy". When defining this word, weshould introduce the present research situation of Song. Regarding this matter,until now the no one has had a detailed study in the academia. Because of thiswe just try to find some clue of Song's diplomacy through the study ofdiplomacy in Spring-Autumn period and the present research for Song.In the first chapter of this essay it introduces the domestic andinternational politic situation under which Song practices its diplomacy duringthe Jin and Chu competing for a super-state.Regarding the domestic politics,Song is in the tendency of power shit to lower people. In this course, there is afierce contention between the Gongzu and the Gongshi, the Gongzu andGongshi. Finally the Gongzu and the Gongshi maintain a relationship whichlies on each other but restrict with each other as well. While in the aspect ofinternational politics, the main matter is power growth and subsidencebetween Jin and Chu. Their competion for the super-state is mainly dividedinto three periods: powerful Jin and feeble Chu, powerful Chu and feeble Jinand Jin's turn-over, with the mark of the war in Chengpu, Bi and Yanlingrespectively. Even though every time Jin and Chu can not get the stableupper-hand, from the whole aspect it develops like this.In the second chapter of this essay, it states in full detail and analyzes thepolicies, character of Song's diplomacy and its reason to carry out suchdiplomacy during the Jin and Chu competing for a super-state, Song'sdiplomacy will be divided in this chapter with the reference to the powergrowth and subsidence of Jin and Chu.Comparatively speaking, the first period of Song's diplomacy is relativelyindependent. It begins from 632 B.C. and ends in 614 B.C. During this period,on one hand Song admits Jin as super-state and performs the obligation to thealliance but does not follow Jin's leading;on the other hand, Song did notcarry out the obligation to Chu after his submission to Chu, which means Songdid not admit Chu as super-state. Song can adopt the relatively independentdiplomatic policy, just because it sets the base with the specific internationalenvironment and it's own power.In the second period, Song insists to follow with Jin. It begins fromalliance in Xincheng in 613 B.C. and end with the alliance in Shu in 589 B.C.During this period even Jin is not as strong as Chu, Song is still in the alliancewith Jin, tries hard to maintain this relation and becomes faithful ally evenwhen Jin declines. Therefore, Song resist bravely to Chu's invasion and threat.Even when it is exhausted to surrender, Song keeps equal with Chu mentally.Song does not sign the treaty under coercion, but instead it signs an equalcovenant. Song insists to follow Jin regardless the rough current politicsituation, the main reason is that Jin treats Song with heart, while Chu insultsit. Besides, regarding the practical interest, to Song, following with Ji is moreprofitable than with Chu.The third period Song has an active attitude. It is from 588 B.C. to thealliance for the international peace in 546 B.C. At that time, Jin and Chuevolve in fierce seesaw battle to "defend Song" and "contend for Song", thussuddenly reduces the policy space for Song between itself and Jin, and Chu.Even though Song takes Jin as alliance, it does not resist so fiercely as beforeto Chu's invasion. Beyond manipulation with the Jin and Chu, Song pays moreattention to the variety of the international situation, especially the relationshipbetween Jin and Chu: when the two countries have the inclination to foster abetter relation, Song seizes the chance for the alliance for the internationalpeace. The main reasons for Song to practice such a diplomatic policy arebigger pressure from outside, its decline power and the director's great efforts.At the end of this essay, it discusses how the medium countries, which isin the middle of two powerful who contend for the super-state, adopt theirdiplomacy in the international politic situation, to protect and developthemselves efficiently.