Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 11, 2025

The Behavioral Logic of Pillar States in Major-Country Interactions

(Abstract)

Gao Cheng

States with medium to upper-middle composite strength, significant regional influence, and a certain degree of strategic autonomy play a direct role in shaping the evolution of the international order. Existing concepts in international relations fail to systematically explain the behavioral logic of such states. The concept of “pillar states” unites countries previously classified as secondary， middle, or regional powers within a single analytical framework. Based on this, a theoretical model can be constructed that incorporates pillar states’ perceptions of the benefits of aligning with hegemonic countries and their assessments of how rising countries influence their regional dominance. Pillar states exhibit four identifiable behavioral patterns: proactive alignment with hegemonic countries at both global and regional levels; proactive alignment with hegemonic countries at the global level; proactively balancing against rising countries at the regional level; and cooperation with rising countries on both levels. These differentiated strategic behaviors reflect the combined influence of strategic global and regional positioning, suggesting that rising countries should adopt more targeted and adaptive strategies toward such states.