Peaceful rise to power: the role of interstate leadership

Purpose The importance of political leadership has been emphasized in the literature; however, peaceful rise has been studied only in China’s policy discourse. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the possibility of a non-hegemonic leader’s peaceful rise through the development of political leadership. Design/methodology/approach This study scrutinizes historical cases, such as China’s contemporary strategy, and highlights how leadership legitimacy − rooted in multilateralism, norm-setting and responsible governance − facilitates non-confrontational power shifts. Due to temporal coherence, this paper takes a narrative approach, but in the conclusion it compares the similarities and differences between the two paths, systematically identifying problems and possible solutions. Findings Drawing on realist, liberal and constructivist perspectives, the analysis highlights leadership’s dual role in advancing national interests while maintaining global stability. Research limitations/implications Leadership is subjective and difficult to quantify and success stories and prototypes are too scarce for intentions to be determined. Originality/value This is an explorative study that shows that the hegemonic conflict often stemming from traditional power transitions can be mitigated by cultivating leadership characterized by strategic credibility, institutional innovation and the provision of global public goods.