China-U.S. Relations in the South China Sea Dispute: A Strategic Hedging Perspective (2009-2017)
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Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Management and Technolog
Abstract
China-United States (U.S.) conflict of interests in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute has changed the trajectory of their bilateral relations in the region. The continuous intervention by the U.S. in the SCS dispute has resulted in the growing assertiveness of China in the region. Due to the existing strong economic interdependence between the U.S. and China, both countries are hedging each other to secure their interests and to avoid direct confrontation in the SCS. To find out the answers of the research questions, qualitative research methodology within post- positivist paradigm has been employed in this study. Historical, descriptive, and exploratory approaches have been used to understand the U.S. and the Chinese strategies against each other and their behaviors towards the claimant states. Strategic hedging theory is tested using the qualitative directed content analysis in this study. The continuous strategic hedging of the U.S. and China against each other in the SCS dispute is resulting in the status quo and the maintenance of peace in the region. Any change within this approach might result in conflict and could threaten the peace of the whole region.
Description
Supervised by: M. Usman Askari
Keywords
Qualitative research methodology, Continuous strategic hedging, BS thesis