Political Economy Of China-US Relations

This dissertation focuses on analysing the interaction of China-US economic relations and political relations in the period of 30 years between 1972-2002. By exploring the inherent mutual effects of economic and political relations between China and the US, this dissertation predicts future prospects for the China-US relationship.The research logic of this dissertation is as follows: Based on the history of the development of China-US relations, the course of the interactions of economic and political relations is analysed. A hypothetical model is designed which shows the past course and the future trend of China-US economic and political relations. In order to demonstrate the model, the dissertation explores both the political factors influencing economic relationships and the economic factors affecting political relationships. Finally, a conclusion is drawn that future China-US economic and political relations will develop in good harmony. Finally, the dissertation proposes how China's economic diplomacy toward the US might be enhanced.Four questions to be answered in this dissertation:1) Is there an internal logical interaction between China-US economic and political relations?2) If so, how was the interaction developed during the past 30 years?3) Why was this so? How did the political factors impact the economic relations and vice versa?4) What is the likely future interaction between China-US economic and political relations? What are the foreseeable obstacles to improving the relationship and how might these best be overcome?The framework of this dissertation consists of five chapters as follows:* Chapter I: PrefaceThis chapter explains why this research topic was chosen and the purpose of this research. It also includes a state-of-the-art review, a brief overview of the relevant theories, and the research methodology that has been employed.* Chapter II: An Historical Analysis of the Interaction between China-US Economic and Political Relations and a postulated Hypothetical Model This chapter observes the history of the interactions of economic and political relations of the two countries at six different stages. Based on this, a hypothetical model is designed. It postulates that the impacts and influences of economic and political relations are measurable. Then according to an analysis of the different value of the mutual impacts and effects at these stages, six co-ordinates are identified which allows the construction of "The Curve of China-US Relationships ".* Chapter III: An Analysis of the Political Factors Affecting China-US Economic RelationsThis chapter observes the politics of China-US economic relations. It argues that the politics of the two countries influence the economic relations from the following three angles:a) Domestic institutional politics such as trade policy making institutions and policy evolution. b) Domestic non-institutional politics such as special interests groups and political culturesc) Global, national and regional security considerations* Chapter IV: An Analysis of the "Positive "and "Negative "Impacts of Economic Relations on the Political Relations of China and the US Trade is a "double-edged sword". For trade, two countries can seek peace as well as wage wars. This chapter explores the positive side and the negative side of China-US economic relations affecting the political relations of the two countries.* Chapter V: Future Prospects for the China-US Relationship-Conclusion and Suggestions.Based on the analyses of the preceding chapters, this chapter concludes the hypothetical model and identifies the future direction of the China-US Relationship Curve. It predicts that the economic relations and the political relations of the China and the US will move forward in good harmony. Both economic relations and political relations will increase steadily although economic relations will develop faster than their political counterpart. It indicates that in order to reinforce the harmo...