| Abstract [eng] |
The master’s thesis “The Impact of Domestic Factors on Foreign Policy: US Policy Towards China 2011-2018” aims at explaining what has caused the differences in US policy towards China during the 2010s. It uses neoclassical realism model to analyse domestic factors that may have affected US policy response towards the international stimuli coming from China. The thesis first identifies the stimuli, then distinguishes between different policy responses during the period, and finally, analyses the role of domestic factors in the whole process. International system had developed stimuli towards US in regards to growing China’s potential to take over the US status and position in the system, to which US responded by redirecting its foreign policy towards Asia in 2011. This step was considered as a turning point in US-China relations and was perceived as US adopting balancing strategy towards China. However, some of the strategy’s major features during the period in question were neglected by decision makers and policy implementors. What is more, in particular episodes the policy kept being implemented differently. In order to explain these discrepancies, the analysis of domestic variables had to be taken into account, and neoclassical realism model seemed as the most accurate choice for the task. Using the model four major domestic factors were analysed: leader images, strategic culture, state-society relations and domestic institutions. The analysis was kept in line with the processes of foreign policy, namely, perception, decision making and policy implementation. After a comprehensive research, it was revealed that leader images and strategic culture had indeed affected the perception of the stimuli, particularly in the areas of applying diplomatic pressure, forming alliances and decreasing interdependence from China. This perception then had led to making particular decisions, as well as implementing them. During the latter two stages, however, additional variables also intervened. Society-state relations had supported some of the decisions during the Obama administration whereas domestic institutions had an effect on Trump’s politics towards China in 2017. All things considered, the research has shown that major discrepancies in US politics towards China in 2011-2018 could be explained by domestic variables, which played the major role in determining the perception of potential China’s threat. Based on that perception decision making and policy implementation stages then were affected along with additional domestic variables intervening. The founding of the research enabled to confirm the hypothesis that differences in US policy towards China in 2011-2018 were influenced by domestic factors. It also proved that neoclassical realism theory and model were the best choice for the research. |
