Study of the Impact of Strategic Competition and Cooperation between U.S. and China on Taiwan’s National Security Strategy: A Perspective of Neo-Classical Realism

• Main Authors: Chen-Teng Liu, 劉鎮燈
• Other Authors: Tung-Chien Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/8p875y

博士 === 國立中興大學 === 國際政治研究所 === 104 === Abstract 　　This dissertation is a study on the influences of strategic competition and cooperation between the US and China on Taiwan’s national security strategy that seeks to understand the policy implications of US-China strategic interactions on Taiwan. The triangular relationship between the US, China and Taiwan currently stands at the heart of regional security in the Asia Pacific. Changes to any set of relations in the triangle – US-China, US-Taiwan or China-Taiwan – is directly linked with adjustments and transformations in regional relations. Although the strategic triangle model is useful in explaining changes in the relationship between actors, its negligence of domestic level variables leaves open questions regarding the driving force of change. Accordingly, adopting neo-classical realism and approaching the key problem from the systemic and domestic levels, this study attempts to understand the implications of US-China strategic competition on Taiwan by placing its focus on how external pressures influence domestic variables such as the political process, leadership style and public opinion. This study concludes that in the foreseeable future, the US and China will continue to maintain a situation of competition and cooperation. In particular, under foreign policy traditions of “benevolent governance” and “domestic problems first,” China seeks to dispel doubts and suspicions on its peaceful rise. Such development provides an opportunity for Taiwan to cooperate with China on national security and international trade. Based on the insights of neo-classical realism, if Taiwan can exploit its advantages and bargaining power effectively, the island nation stands the chance of realizing its interests amidst great power politics.