This thesis explores recent trends in Chinese international relations scholarship from the perspective of post-colonial and critical international relations theory. It begins by interrogating the now widespread view that ‘the discipline’ of international relations is profoundly Eurocentric. The claim to parochialism in international relations discourse is explained and substantiated through a critical re-reading of enduring myths in international relations discourse, which shape not only what we know to be international relations but how we mightknow it and who indeed the ‘we’ is that does the knowing. This research adopts a methodology of ghost hunting inspired by Avery Gordon’s work on ghosts and hauntings in the sociological imagination (Gordon 2008). It follows the meandering trail of a ghostly journey through international relations discourse, telling of multiple and conflicting encounters between Chinese international relations and the wider parochial/global discipline. In particular it examines recent debates surrounding the need for a distinctively Chinese approach to international relations research: a Chinese School of IR.Debates about the place of Chinese international relations research in the wider (parochial/global) discipline remain the focus of this research project. A close (re)reading of these debates reveals the many ways in which Chinese international relations discourse actively constructs ‘the discipline’ of international relations, singing it into life, whilst simultaneously unsettling the myths that make international relations possible. These trends are explored further through the use of two case studies of leading scholars – Yan Xuetong and Qin Yaqing – and the enduring debate between them (and between Chinese scholars in general) over whether or not China needs its own theory of international relations. The work of these two individuals has had a huge impact on wider trends within and about Chinese international relations. The thesis concludes with a return to the question of identity in international relations discourse and questions who is Chinese in the Chinese School and what are the implications of constructing ‘Chineseness’ through international relations discourse. I argue that the Chinese School project is perhaps best understood as an expression of contemporary Chinese nationalism.

This research was selected after the South African Minister of Public Service and Administration, Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi’s, statement in the Budget vote speech of 2002 that government spent an estimated R3 billion per annum on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods and services, but that only 20 percent of public servants are computer literate. In 2004, this was illustrated again by the Minister who stated that the government will be recruiting new skilled personnel and that the recruitment will take place primarily from African countries, India and Iran. During 14 to 17 November 2005 the Minister lead a delegation to India with the specific purpose of reaching agreements between the two countries for assistance by the Indian public service through the transfer of Indian public servants, as well as training interventions and mentorship programmes for South African public servants.technology is one of the key strategies that governments can use to reform and improve public service delivery. Large amounts of information are required to deliver public services, for example pension and unemployment administration. However, to make proper use of and benefit from information technology public servants will need information technology skills and knowledge. It is generally accepted that universities provide Public Administration education to students that will become the future workforce in the public service. It is the duty of a university to provide scientifically inspired career education to students. Universities undertake to provide the knowledge as well as higher education to students in order to function effectively in the workplace. A student studying for a career should be able to gain knowledge about the field of study and gain the necessary skills to be used in practice. Thus, students in Public Administration should not only have knowledge about the subject Public Administration, they should also be able to act as professional public servants that can serve the public. The question can however be asked whether the curricula provided to undergraduate Public Administration students at South African universities comply with the needs of the public work force when considering the use of information technology competencies? / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

This research was selected after the South African Minister of Public Service and Administration, Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi’s, statement in the Budget vote speech of 2002 that government spent an estimated R3 billion per annum on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods and services, but that only 20 percent of public servants are computer literate. In 2004, this was illustrated again by the Minister who stated that the government will be recruiting new skilled personnel and that the recruitment will take place primarily from African countries, India and Iran. During 14 to 17 November 2005 the Minister lead a delegation to India with the specific purpose of reaching agreements between the two countries for assistance by the Indian public service through the transfer of Indian public servants, as well as training interventions and mentorship programmes for South African public servants.technology is one of the key strategies that governments can use to reform and improve public service delivery. Large amounts of information are required to deliver public services, for example pension and unemployment administration. However, to make proper use of and benefit from information technology public servants will need information technology skills and knowledge. It is generally accepted that universities provide Public Administration education to students that will become the future workforce in the public service. It is the duty of a university to provide scientifically inspired career education to students. Universities undertake to provide the knowledge as well as higher education to students in order to function effectively in the workplace. A student studying for a career should be able to gain knowledge about the field of study and gain the necessary skills to be used in practice. Thus, students in Public Administration should not only have knowledge about the subject Public Administration, they should also be able to act as professional public servants that can serve the public. The question can however be asked whether the curricula provided to undergraduate Public Administration students at South African universities comply with the needs of the public work force when considering the use of information technology competencies? / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)