| The central question of this dissertation is: To what extent does culture influence the aggressive behaviors of states? Empirically, I examine Imperial China's military policy during the Song (960–1279) and the Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. I argue that a cultural approach is not a fruitful way to understanding Chinese national security policy. Rather, Chinese behavior can be best explained by structural realism.; The conventional wisdom of China's foreign relations, which I term Confucian pacifism, is that China was averse to the use of force to settle security problems. This pacifist tendency originates in the humane and benevolent ideas embedded in the Confucian culture. Traditionally, China placed a high premium on the primacy of defense and has been reluctant to use force to deal with security threats. I challenge this conventional wisdom by showing that it lacks empirical support. Contrary to what is widely believed, Imperial China had behaved according to the dictates of realism for centuries. It had preferred to use force to resolve external threats to Chinese security, adopted a more aggressive stance as its power grew, and expanded war aims in the absence of systemic or military constraints.; Employing the method of structured, focused comparison, I examine various decisions of national security by consulting both primary and secondary literature. I derive hypotheses on three important issues: (1) Use of Force, (2) Power and Coerciveness, and (3) War Aims. If Chinese behavior accords with realist predictions, the predominance of Confucian discourse notwithstanding, the realist claim that state behavior varies more with the distribution of power than with ideological preferences would be corroborated.; This dissertation has important theoretical and policy implications. It clarifies the relationship between culture and foreign policy, speaks to the levels of analysis problem, and contributes to the debate between constructivism and realism. On the policy side, this study helps us better assess the strategic implications of China's rise in power, and help formulate sound policies. When would China most likely use force? Would China become more coercive as it gains power? Would Chinese war aims expand? This project sheds light on these important questions. |
