National interests usually explain state conduct better than assigning countries fixed moral personalities. Governments normally pursue what they understand as the interests of their state, institutions, and citizens. Humanitarian language and commercial aims can coexist, as aid, visits, or military presence may also build goodwill for later trade and diplomacy. Looking first for incentives and interests can make both Chinese and Western behaviour easier to interpret while leaving room to judge the consequences of particular actions.
Notable Point · 2:32:38-2:33:54
Reading state behaviour through national interests
A methodological aside argues that national interests often explain state conduct better than moral labels.