China’s Rise and a New Perspective on Hegemonic Stability Theory

This study begins with fundamental transformations taking place in the international system, most notably the rise of China as a prominent global power. It questions the extent to which the traditional theory of hegemonic stability can explain this new phase. While the theory assumed that global stability could only be achieved under the hegemony of a single power, the Chinese experience reveals a different path, characterized by expanding influence without direct hegemony or the imposition of a unified model. Based on this reality, the research proposes an alternative theoretical model entitled “The Theory of Distributed Hegemonic Stability.”(DHST), redefines the concepts of hegemony, order, and stability as outcomes of the distribution of roles among multiple powers, rather than their monopolization by a single party. The research uses a qualitative analytical approach and draws on contemporary case studies such as US-China relations, the COVID-19 crisis, and the Belt and Road Initiative, to test the new model's ability to explain the multipolar global landscape. The results reveal that DHST represents a more flexible framework capable of explaining complex international interactions than the traditional model. Thus, the research not only offers a theoretical modification, but also contributes to the development of a new vision for understanding international stability in the twenty-first century, moving away from the dichotomy of "hegemony or chaos."