Abstract:

The essence of human nature is the totality of social relations. The study of“relations”forms the foundation of all research in humanities and social sciences, a commonality shared by both Eastern and Western traditions. Theories such as Relational Power Theory, Actor-network Theory, and Social Capital Theory have directly or indirectly addressed the nature, structure, and function of“relations,”suggesting that relations invariably point towards special interests and are closely intertwined with power, resources, and capital. In recent times, however, the context of“relations”has gradually become more China-centric, often being replaced by the concept of“Chinese-style Relations,”particularly in overseas China Studies. Viewing Chinese society through the lens of“relations”reveals their pervasive influence on social hierarchies and realworld political interactions, giving rise to a form of“relational politics.”Nevertheless, a closer examination of Western societies shows that“relations”are equally ubiquitous in both international and domestic politics, with “relational politics”serving as a crucial analytical tool.

Key words: social relations, political relations;“relational politics”, relational power, social capital;actor network