The influence of human rights on international politics: A case study of United States relations with the People's Republic of China, 1977--1992

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of human rights on international politics. This study will specifically analyze how human rights considerations have affected foreign policy-making. The case study will focus on U.S. policy toward the People's Republic of China during the Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations.; Chapter 1 will discuss three topics regarding human rights. First, it will illustrate that the definitions of human rights and of fundamental human rights remain controversial, preventing states from observing human rights. Second, this chapter will compare the concepts of human rights in Western political thought, in international law, and in non-Western countries. Finally, drawing on these understandings, I will propose my own definition of human rights and establish an analytical framework describing how human rights considerations should appear in foreign policy.; Chapter 2 will review the history of human rights concerns in U.S. foreign policy before 1977. This review will demonstrate how the United States, the champion of human rights, involved or did not involve in human rights issues abroad.; Chapter 3 will analyze the principles of Carter's human rights policy and its implementation in China. This chapter will examine how Carter balanced his commitment to human rights and U.S. security concerns with China, especially after normalization with China in December 1979.; Chapter 4 will examine Reagan's human rights policy. This chapter will highlight how Reagan downplayed human rights in U.S. relations with China to balance against security and economic considerations, especially when China's human rights record came to the attention of the U.S. Congress from 1985 through 1988.; Chapter 5 will describe Bush's human rights policy toward China. This chapter will analyze how Bush tried to maintain strained U.S.-China relations after the Tiananmen Square incident of 1989, while attempting to divert Congressional attention from China.; Conclusion will compare the results of the three administrations' human rights policies. Finally, it will discuss whether the United States can pursue national interest and promote human rights at the same time.