Political competition among states over status—often described as “status politics”—is attracting growing attention in international relations (IR) scholarship. As a strand of middle-range theory, status politics has contributed to the development of IR theory. Its contribution lies not in overturning realism, but in restoring the social dimension of international politics beyond struggles over material power by incorporating status, recognition, and expectations of hierarchy into the analytical framework of great-power competition. Status politics has developed into an indispensable middle-range analytical tool for understanding interactions between rising and established powers, changes in international hierarchy, and diplomacy centered on national identity.

The rise of a great power is an important force driving change in the international system. As its capabilities and influence increase, a rising power may face a particular dilemma: Its actual power may have grown, while international recognition of its identity and entitlements lags behind. This discrepancy may prompt the rising power to advance status claims. Such claims may include demands for specific international entitlements, assertions of international responsibilities, and signals intended to demonstrate its distinctive strengths. Status claims reflect a rising power’s desire to secure influence commensurate with its identity as a major power. When a rising power encounters a “glass ceiling” within the existing order, it may also resort to more assertive behavior in pursuit of those claims.

The power shifts generated by the rise of emerging great powers can likewise heighten status concerns among established powers. The status of an established power is embedded in existing international institutions and arrangements. Recognition of that status by other states means that it need not rely on coercion to uphold the international order and protect its interests. For an established power, then, status represents not merely prestige but also a distinctive strategic asset. As its relative power declines, an established power becomes increasingly dependent on its existing international status to sustain global influence.

Accommodating the rise of emerging great powers is a major challenge in achieving peaceful transformation of the international order, with status recognition playing a key role in this process. In general terms, status recognition refers to one state affirming another state’s achievements through symbolic gestures and rituals of respect and deference, as well as publicly acknowledging its special entitlements within the international hierarchy. Highly publicized diplomatic rituals—such as summit meetings, official statements, state visits, and strategic dialogues—can all serve as signals of status recognition. The importance of status recognition lies in enabling a rising power to perceive its interests and influence as legitimate. In a sense, the key to achieving peaceful transformation of the international order is to secure rising powers’ support for the international system through status recognition while avoiding conflict between rising and established powers.

International institutions provide a pathway for addressing these dilemmas. Open international institutions can create stable conditions for rising powers to advance their entitlements. Obtaining voting rights within international institutions and participating in major areas of global governance can help rising powers recognize their growing influence. Furthermore, because such entitlements carry considerable symbolic significance, they can help align international perceptions of a rising power’s leadership role and thereby consolidate its status. At the same time, when international institutions enjoy a high degree of legitimacy, rising powers that have received status recognition remain strongly motivated to abide by their rules. In short, international institutions can shape a rising power’s strategies and preferences through status recognition.

However, the legitimacy of international institutions should not be taken for granted. Historically, there have been numerous instances in which established powers have used international institutions to recognize the status of rising powers. The Concert of Europe, established at the Congress of Vienna, and the League of Nations, created after the First World War, both played similar roles.

Wang Ziyuan is an associate professor from the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University.