The Unstable Strait: How the United States has Ineffectively Managed U.S. - Taiwan - China Relations
Abstract
This thesis will focus on how the United States' diplomatic traditions have
harmed its ability to effectively execute foreign policy in East Asia, most particularly in
regards to Taiwan. Taiwan serves as an optimal case study for this tradition; indeed,
many strenuous moments from the past 35 years of Sino-American relations have had
Taiwan as their focus. The first section of the thesis will involve the establishment of
foreign policy traditions between China and the U.S., from the first communications in
the Nixon presidency until the passing of the Taiwan Relations Act. The second section
will hone in on the United States' utilization of strategic ambiguity as a staple for its
policies with China and Taiwan; how it has been implemented, and why it is so difficult
to escape from now as an approach to policy in this region.