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The Impact Of Cultural Differences On Sino-U.S.Relations

Posted on:2003-04-11Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:Y ZhangFull Text:PDF
GTID:2156360062485007Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
With the intensified process of globalization, China and the United States, as two big countries in the world, find them more and more closely related and interdependent. Whether they can develop a sound relationship has a direct bearing not only on themselves but also on the whole world at large. However, not all good wishes can turn into reality. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Sino-U.S. relations have undergone ups and downs, and even have encountered some major setbacks that could be called "crisis". The Taiwan question, the human rights issue, and the economic relations etc. have become sensitive issues in Sino-U.S. relations, impeding its development. Many scholars and diplomatic professionals have devoted a great many efforts to explore Sino-U.S. relations from various perspectives, political, economic, strategic and so on, almost all summarizing the past, describing the present and predicting the future.However, as an MA candidate focusing on American Studies, the author of this thesis is most interested in the cultural influence on Sino-U.S. relations. Though culture itself is intangible, its influence is observable. It permeates all aspects of social life, and its importance in political studies has also attracted much attention in the academic circle, therefore, this thesis attempts to analyze Sino-U.S. relations from a cultural perspective.The thesis first begins with an introduction, which discusses the importance of culture in the study of political sciences.Chapter I of the thesis spells out the various versions of definition of culture and their relevance in political sciences found in the literature concerned.Chapter II of the thesis outlines some major elements in the two countries' cultures, including their origin, their historical development and their expression ineach country's way of coping with problems in international relations. For the American part, the thesis mentions the "God Chosen People", "Land of Promise" and "city upon a hill " mentalities, which are the root causes of American people's sense of superiority and the expansionism in their diplomacy. It also touches upon individualism, which is one of the core values of the American . For theChinese part, the thesis discusses some characteristics of Chinese culture arising from agrarian civilization, Chinese culture's emphasis on collectivism and ethics and Chinese people's strong notion of unification.Chapter III of the thesis selects the Taiwan question and the human rights issue for case studies, in which it analyzes the relevant cultural factors from both sides and how these factors have led to divergent perceptions, and therefore disagreements on these two questions.The final part of the thesis proceeds to the conclusion that China and the U.S. have striking differences in culture and that cultural differences do not necessarily lead to conflicts.To sum up, there are significant differences in Chinese and American cultures and these differences constitute an important reason behind the two countries' disagreement on a series of questions. This is irreversible truth. It is also self-evident truth that the two countries have important common interests in many fields. The important thing is to promote mutual understanding through contact and dialogue so as to reduce disagreements and expand common ground. The author of this thesis sincerely hopes that China and the United States may develop a healthy relationship and the two peoples may walk hand in hand into a bright future.
Keywords/Search Tags:culture.Sino-U.S. relations, cultural differences, divergent perceptions
PDF Full Text Request
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