The Impact Of Interest Groups On US China Policy

Foreign policy making is a rather complex process, especially so for the UnitedStates. Due to its unique political system and social, historical and culturalbackground, a great number of forces attempt to influence the governmental processin the United States. This thesis is to examine one unique factor in American politicallife---interest groups. The focus will be on their impact on US China policy. Toachieve this end, a classical case will be brought up, explored and evaluated onceagain.The whole thesis is composed of four chapters. Chapter one is to give a generalidea of interest group politics in the United States. Interest groups have long beenactive in US policy-making process and no policymakers can afford to ignore theirvoice. This chapter will address the question of what is an interest group and thenexamine the background of interest groups' evolution, the types of interest groups,their political role and the strategies they employ to influence policymakers. Afterchapter one fulfills its introductory function, chapter two and three, the main body ofthe work, will deal with the role of interest groups in US China policy. Chapter twowill discuss the relationship between US foreign policy and interest groups and findout why there has been an expanding role of interest groups in US China policy. Thena case study will follow in chapter three. Before the year 2000, China's MFN statushad been a controversial issue in China-US relations. A fierce fight centering on itwould unfold annually among various interest groups. After tracking interest groupactivities in the four periods of the case's development, an analysis will be given ontheir role in US China policy and its limitations. In the final analysis, the author willtry to draw some lessons from the case which, hopefully, can be of some help insolving interest group issues that may appear in China's future dealings with theUnited States.The existence of interest groups is a reality and its impact on US foreign policymaking cannot be ignored. Interest groups will continue to grow in number in theforeseeable future. We shall recognize the importance of this subject and makeunremitting efforts in relevant research.