From Eurocentrism to Sinocentrism? Echoes of the Chinese Model of Development in the Non-Western World
Abstract
For much of the 20th century, Western societies have been the predominant models
of development, and their political and socio-economic systems have influenced the
paths taken by many developing countries striving to achieve stability and
prosperity. As China has emerged as a global economic powerhouse in the early
21st century, it seems to present an alternative model of development to the
Western paradigm. This article explores whether China can replace the West as
the global model of modernity by examining key components of the Chinese model,
its successes and limitations and the broader implications for the global political
and economic system. The Chinese model, often referred to as the “Beijing
Consensus”, is characterised by several features that differentiate it from the
Western liberal model. These include state-led economic planning, limited freemarket (a.k.a. state capitalism), and authoritarian governance. China’s annual GDP
growth has averaged around 10% for much of the past four decades, transforming
it into the world’s second-largest economy. Hundreds of millions of people have
been lifted out of poverty, significantly improving average living standards and
reducing income inequality. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Chinese model
holds significant appeal for many developing countries. Nevertheless, the Chinese
model has notable limitations such as environmental problems, demographic
challenges, and an authoritarian political system widely criticised for violating
human rights. As non-Western countries navigate their developmental trajectories,
the Chinese model will continue to serve as both an inspiration and a point of
critical engagement. This article analyses the nature of the Chinese model and
discusses several developing country cases (i.e. Vietnam, Egypt, Venezuela and
Saudi Arabia) that have so far applied various aspects of the Chinese model. It will
be argued that while China is undoubtedly reshaping the global order, the
complexity and interconnectedness of the modern world mean that Beijing’s
influence will manifest differently from the hegemony of 19th-century Western
powers. The future of global politics and economy will likely involve a multipolar
distribution of influence, rather than simply evolving from Eurocentric hegemony to
a Sinocentric one.
Keywords
How to Cite
Oğuzhan Göksel. (2026). From Eurocentrism to Sinocentrism? Echoes of the Chinese Model of Development in the Non-Western World. The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development, 16(2), 229–244.
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