A sinocentric idea refers to a system is a politically instigated system of foreign relationship in which countries engage in economic and cultural exchange. The tributary syste between China, Choson, and Japan was sinocentric because it was hierarchical and Choson and other cultures in East Asia at the time had to submit themselves to the Emperor of China. China considered itself a superior culture and countries that came into the tributary system with China benefited economically and politically by adopting Chinese customs and sustained trade with China. China has been the center of attention in the history of East Asia due to the country developed political systems as well as a strong military which was able to influence neighboring countries. China was dominated by the strong historical dynasties which made the significant influence in the development of China as well as all other its influence in the East Asia. Most of the dynasties were able to rule for a very long time which was responsible for the militarization of the nation as it becomes prominent amongst its neighbors.
Through military might, China imposed the tributary system on countries like Choson and the emperor of China could even choose the next king for Choson because of their great influence in Choson politics. The dynasties were able to create massive armies and labor forces which were able to undertake big projects for their emperor (Meng, 2015). Choson highly depended on China for protection as well as for trade. Therefore, Choson had to send gifts and nobles to serve in Chinese dynasties in exchange for protection (Yuan-Kang, 2012).
The autocratic dynasties were ruthless in enforcing their rule due to the threat of the barbarians who surrounded the kingdom. Further, the autocracies maintained massive armies for quashing out possible internal rebellions. Confucianism was developed in China which made China the center of enlightenment for the entire eastern Asia. The virtue stressed for good governance and merit-based system for government position promotion. The government was effective unlike the barbarians and Choson because in China they were to maintain virtues towards their subjects (Song, 2012). The major negative impact of the sino centric idea was that other countries felt that China was exploiting them and denying them freedom and autonomy which eventually led to the decline of the hierarchical foreign relationship in east Asia with China at the helm. Sino centric idea made the leaders of Choson powerless as the tributary system ensured that Choson was to contribute to the Chinese military which made the country defenseless and they had to rely on the Chinese emperor for protection and trade which ensured the continuity of the tributary system. Further, the sino centric idea led to the decline of Choson and other vassal countries economy and culture by adopting Chinese philosophies of leadership and social life.
Border security about the Tributary System between Ming and Choson
The tributary system had a significant negative impact on border security despite its primary aim of providing security and support for the Choson in the face of invasion. The tributary system ensured that as long as the people of Choson remains subject to the Ming dynasty, the Ming dynasty was going to protect the people of Choson from the Japanese invaders. In 1592 and 1597 Japan was united by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and invaded Korea with the aim of conquering China because Choson was in the middle between China Ming dynasty and Japan. As a result, the Ming came to the aid of Choson and due to Choson indebtedness to the Ming dynasty some Choson had to contribute a certain number of men to Ming to strengthen its forces (Larsen, 2013).
The tributary system came to be hated by the people of Choson especially the poor servants whose husbands and sons were to be given to Ming to offer border security. The tension with Choson escalated by the fact that Choson was left vulnerable itself to the Japanese pirates who attacked the mainland from time to time (Zhang &Buzan, 2012). The people of Choson came to view the tributary system as only beneficial to the Ming dynasty which led to Choson seclusion and restricting interaction with Japan and Ming limiting its interactions to few tributaries a year with the aim of strengthening its border security to secure its people (Song, 2012).
References
Larsen, K. W. (2013). Comforting fictions: The tribute system, the Westphalian order, and Sino-Korean relations. Journal of East Asian Studies, 13(2), 233-257.
Meng, W. (2015). Was There a Consistent Strategy in Ancient China Toward Threats?.
Song, N. (2012). Tributary from a Multilateral and Multilayered Perspective. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 5(2), 155-182.
Yuan-Kang, W. (2012). Managing regional hegemony in historical Asia: the case of early Ming China. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 5(2), 129-153.
Zhang, Y., &Buzan, B. (2012). The tributary system as the international society in theory and practice. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 5(1), 3-36.
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