On Ideology In American Foreign Policy And Its Influence On Sino-U.S Relationship

In the present century, multi-polarization has become a conspicuous phenomenon in the arena of world politics. At the same time it is obvious that America has become the most powerful country and its strategies to advance its foreign policy have become a center of attention. Thus, it is necessary for us to analyze systematically the factors influencing American international strategies, especially the significance of ideology in American foreign policy. Only when we objectively analyze its influence on Sino-U.S relationship, can we correctly predict its future trends.This dissertation is divided into four chapters. Chapter one is to define ideology and analyze its functions in foreign policy. Through careful comparisons between various definitions of ideology, the author holds that ideology refers to the arrangement of social system based on certain economic conditions formed by certain social or class groups, it is the system of ideas and conceptions reflecting the orientations in explaining and reforming the world of certain social and class groups. In this chapter, the author also points out the three functions of ideology in foreign policy, they are guidance, rationalization and social organization.Chapter two analyzes characteristics of ideology in American foreign policy and its influence on constituting foreign policies. By analyzing the application of ideology in American foreign policy the author points out that American ideology is aggressive, stubborn, integrated and religious. And this is based on a historical study. The author also points out the two factors influencing American ideology: national interest and political culture. The "democratization" of American national interest foregrounds the importance of ideology in American foreign policy. American political culture claiming the American innocence, generosity and singularity has also helped a lot in strengthening the status of ideology in American foreign policy.Chapter three clarifies the relationship between ideology and those who areresponsible for making American foreign polices based on the above analysis. Thus we can say it is a fact of truth that ideology delimits the sphere for the operation of America's seemingly "complicated" foreign policies. Ideology is the main guideline in American foreign policy. Here the author further clarifies the importance in American foreign policy, that is ideology is the principle of American foreign policy while it is a measure to carry out its foreign policy. Ideology is also one of the important contents in foreign policy.Chapter four analyzes the influence of ideology on Sino-U.S relationship. Here the author analyzes the differences between Chinese and American ideologies, concentrating on four main factors influencing Sino-U.S relationship; they are the strategic location of China, Sino-U.S economic relationship, human rights and the Taiwan issue.From the above analysis, we can conclude that the passive influences of ideology are the main reasons causing the fragility of the relationship between China and America. Based on this, the author tentatively proposes some suggestions on how to cope properly with the differences between China and American. This will shed some light on the formation of American policy, thus gaming more initiatives in foreign affairs for China.