Abstract
If foreign policy theory is a theory of foreign policy, such an interpretation does not tell us anything of substantial significance. From the perspective of academic research, the definition of foreign policy theory involves at least three aspects: what is “foreign policy,” what is “theory,” and what is “foreign policy theory”? The first question is easier to answer. Foreign policy mentioned in this book refers to the positions, goals, principles, and methods of a sovereign state in its interactions with other sovereign states. Therefore, foreign policy discussed in this book does not include people-to-people diplomacy, but the public diplomacy carried out by the government of one state against the people of other states.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Waltz (1979, p. 10).
- 2.
Kuhn (1970, p. 10).
- 3.
Kuhn (1970, pp. 198–204).
- 4.
Wei (2011).
- 5.
Waltz (1979), Chap. 7—Structural Causes and Economic Effects, and Chap. 8—Structural Causes and Military Effects.
- 6.
Wei (2001, p. 66).
- 7.
Waltz (1979, p. 72).
- 8.
Wei (2004).
- 9.
Waltz (1979, p. 127).
- 10.
- 11.
Brooks (1997).
- 12.
Christensen (1996, p. 12).
- 13.
See Waltz (2004).
- 14.
“Japanese media: Japan’s investment in China decreased by 38.8% in 2014, a rare decline,” the reference news website: http://www.cankaoxiaoxi.com/finance/20150116/630904.shtml.
- 15.
Zedong (1991, p. 3).
- 16.
Pearson and Martin Rochester (1998, p. 176).
- 17.
Li (2003).
- 18.
Keohane (1984).
- 19.
Van Evera (1998).
- 20.
Zakaria (1992).
- 21.
Wendt (1999, p. 237).
- 22.
- 23.
Yue (2003).
- 24.
Yue (2003).
- 25.
Wei (2011, pp. 118–155).
- 26.
Rose (1998, p. 147).
- 27.
Christensen (1997, p. 68).
- 28.
Wohlforth (1993, pp. 2, 6).
- 29.
Wohlforth (1993, p. 294).
- 30.
Wei (2011), Chap. 1.
- 31.
Nye (2005).
- 32.
There have been controversies over the term “alliance.” Some scholars try to limit it to the scope of security cooperation, while others try to include informal strategic cooperation. For example, Stephen M. Walt states that an alliance is a formal or informal arrangement for security cooperation between two or more sovereign states. Many contemporary states are reluctant to sign formal treaties with their allies, and many formal declarations of cooperation are mere formalities. But that doesn’t mean alliance relationships can be ambiguous. First of all, countries that have informal alliances will definitely define such an inter-state relationship with each other. Second, except for a few secret alliances, most informal alliances can be recognized by other countries and observers through specific actions such as verbal statements and practical assistance. Finally, if an informal alliance cannot be clearly observed, then the research is not operable, and the practical policy implications it usually produces are limited. For Stephen M. Walt’s opinions, please refer to Walt (1990, p. 12).
References
Brooks, S. G. (1997, Summer). Dueling realisms. International Organization, 51(3), 465.
Christensen. (1996). Useful adversaries: Grand strategy, domestic mobilization, and Sino-American conflict, 1947–1958. Princeton University Press.
Christensen, T. (1997, Winter). Perceptions and alliances in Europe, 1865–1940. International Organization, 51(1), 68.
Keohane, R. O. (1984). After hegemony: Cooperation and discord in the world political economy. Princeton University Press.
Kuhn, T. S. (1970). Structure of scientific revolutions. University of Chicago Press.
Li, S. (2003). On state interests. World Economy and Politics, (1), 4.
McKelvey, T. Mid-term elections: Is US foreign policy about to become more hawkish? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29919799
Nye, J. (2005). Hard and soft power (M. Honghua, Trans.). Peking University Press.
Pearson, F. S., & Martin Rochester, J. (1998). International relations. McGraw-Hill.
Rose, G. (1998, October). Neoclassical realism and theories of foreign policy. World Politics, 51(1), 147.
Schweller, R. L. Missed opportunities and unanswered threats: Domestic constraints on the balance of power. http://www.yale.edu/irspeakers/SchwellerFall02.pdf
Van Evera, S. (1998, Spring). Offense, defense, and the cause of war. International Security, 22(4), 42–43.
Walt, S. M. (1990). The origins of alliance. Cornell University Press.
Waltz, K. (1979). Theory of international politics. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.
Waltz, K. N. (2004, Spring). Neorealism: Confusions and criticisms. Politics & Society, XV. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/helvidius/archives/2004_waltz.pdf
Wei, S. (2001). Balance of power: Rules or laws: An analysis of two representative balance of power theories. International Forum, (1), 66.
Wei, S. (2011). The theory of international relations: From political thought to social science. Shanghai Education Press.
Wei, X. (2004). On the foreign policy of Germany’s civilian power. European Studies, (2), 122–133.
Wendt, A. (1999). Social theory of international politics. Cambridge University Press.
Wohlforth, W. C. (1993). The elusive balance: Power and perceptions during the Cold War. Cornell University Press.
Yue, X. (2003). The objectivity and subjectivity of state interests. World Economy and Politics, (5), 30–31.
Zakaria, F. (1992, Summer). Realism and domestic politics: A review essay. International Security, 17(1), 182.
Zedong, M. (1991). An analysis of classes in Chinese society, selected works of Mao Zedong (Vol. 1). People’s Publishing House.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 Shanghai People's Publishing House
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Song, W. (2023). The Significance and Research Path of Foreign Policy Theory. In: Positional Realism. Contributions to International Relations. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6829-7_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6829-7_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-19-6828-0
Online ISBN: 978-981-19-6829-7
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)