Greater Periphery and China, the U. S. and Neighbors

Lu: The world situation tends to be relaxed generally. Big powers often interact, especially in Asia, because China is developing and Asia is developing as well. When we review peripheral and regional situa- tions, we can see it. In China's concept of diplomacy, periphery is put at the foremost position and China's periphery is in a sense the U. S. ' strategic front. Therefore, building a greater peripheral environment, coping well with China's relations with the U. S. and China's Neigh-…     

EU vs. U.S. , Russia and China

Since George W. Bush assumed the presidency in early 2001, a tense situation had occurred in the relationships among world big powers. In the aftermath of September 11,significant improvement has been made in Sino-U.S. and Russia-U. S. relations. In the meantime, corresponding changes have taken place in EU-U. S.and Russia-China relations.     

Democracy,human rights,and U.S.‐Africa trade

The nexus of economic and political relations is a central issue in international relations, and the influence of political liberalization upon trade ties lies at the center of much liberal theory. However, many facets of the empirical linkage between political liberalization—including democratization and the respect for human rights—and trade remain uninvestigated. Examining the case of U.S.‐Africa trade, this study considers two unexplored facets of these political determinants of trade: (1) the role of human rights conditions, and (2) the robustness of the relationship between democracy, human rights, and trade across a subset of vertical dyads. Using a gravity model to assess trade patterns, we find that neither democracy nor human rights conditions has a significant impact upon U.S. trade to Africa.     

Democracy: Past,present . . . and future? (Part I)

The Concepts and Theories of Modern Democracy by Anthony H. Birch. London: Routledge, 1993. Pp.vi + 260; 2 indices, bibliography. £40 (hardback); £12.99 (paperback). ISBN 0 415 09108 X and 091071

Democracy: The Unfinished Journey 508 BC to AD 1993 edited by John Dunn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. £11.95 (corrected paperback edition 1993). Pp.xii + 290; index, further reading list. ISBN 0 19 827934 5

Democracy by Ross Harrison. London: Routledge, 1993, Pp.ix + 246; index. £35 (hardback). ISBN 0 415 03254 7

Democracy and Complexity by Danilo Zolo. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1992. £39.50 (hardback); £11.95 paperback). Pp.xii + 202; index, bibliography. ISBN 0 74 561 095 1 and     

A Review of: “Bruce Bongar,Lisa M. Brown,Larry E. Beutler,James N. Breckenridge,and Philip G. Zimbardo (Eds.). Psychology of Terrorism.”

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the popular hypothesis that poverty, inequality, and poor economic development are root causes of terrorism. Employing a series of multiple regression analyses on terrorist incidents and casualties in ninety-six countries from 1986 to 2002, the study considers the significance of poverty, malnutrition, inequality, unemployment, inflation, and poor economic growth as predictors of terrorism, along with a variety of political and demographic control variables. The findings are that, contrary to popular opinion, no significant relationship between any of the measures of economic development and terrorism can be determined. Rather, variables such as population, ethno-religious diversity, increased state repression and, most significantly, the structure of party politics are found to be significant predictors of terrorism. The article concludes that “social cleavage theory” is better equipped to explain terrorism than are theories that link terrorism to poor economic development.     

Chinese influence,U.S. linkages,or neither? Comparing regime changes in Myanmar and Thailand

This study examines the potential influence of foreign linkages on regime outcomes by comparing Myanmar and Thailand. Linkages with the West are supposed to facilitate democratization, whereas those with autocracies usually promote regime survival. This study focuses on Myanmar and Thailand’s linkages with the U.S. and China, which at first sight seem to demonstrate the hypothesized effects. Myanmar gradually liberalized while strengthening its Western linkages, whereas Thailand experienced democratic breakdown amid a shift in alignment from the U.S. to China. However, in-depth analysis suggests that the influence of foreign linkages on domestic political change was minimal and that the relationship may very well be endogenous. The findings of this study call for a more careful theorization and handling of the external factors in studies of regime change and highlight the importance of simultaneously analyzing democratic and autocratic linkages.     

China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations

Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations as the most importantand dynamic component of bilateral ties have evolved into thestabilizer, pillar and driving force for cementing the linkage betweenthe two capitals. Their furtherance along the designated line of…     

Iraq War and Europe-U. S. Relations

Militarily, no one has suspected that American-British coalition forces would win their war against Iraq. But before, during or after the war, there existed some uncertainties, which are concerning the future world structure, the future of the United States itself, the Middle East     

＂Quasi-Cold War＂ between China and the U.S.： Characteristics, Causes and China＇s Response

Sino-U.S. relations are moving toward "Quasi-Cold War." Various factors contribute to Sino-U.S. "Quasi-Cold War". China should actively deal with this kind of situation, which will continue in the future, to prevent "Quasi-Cold War" sliding into a new "Cold War."     

How Can China, the U.S. and China＇ s Neighbors Interact Positively？

New Developments Before the 2008 financial crisis,and especially before the U.S.began its "return" to Asia,relations between China,the U.S.and China's neighbors in East Asia were not a major issue.However,since 2010,relations have been stirred up.Take the Cheonan incident,the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island,the Diaoyu Islands dispute between China and Japan,the Huangyan Island confrontation between China and the Philippines,and the South China Sea issue,for example.Sino-U.S.relations have grown more complex,and sovereignty disputes between China and some of its neighbors have intensified.At the same time,relations between the U.S.and most of China'sneighbors have improved.The U.S.' decision to "pivot" to Asia contains many objectives.     

The Strategic Dialogue and Sino-U.S . Relations

On August 1-2, China and the United States held a strategic dialogue. This is in fact the first mechanized strategic dialogue between China and America. Both sides decided to hold such a dialogue alternatively in each other's capital twice a year. The significance of the first comprehensive and mechanized senior dialogue between the two sides to discuss strategic issues of common interest cannot be underestimated. Therefore, it was an event that attracted worldwide attention. Apart from pay…