A Study Of Cognitive Differences And Strategic Interaction In Sino-US Relations

As for the cognitive differences between China and the United States,existing studies have focused on taking them as dependent variables rather than independent variables.Therefore,this paper mainly discusses the causes of the cognitive difference between China and the United States and the influence of the interaction between the two countries on the formation of the cognitive difference.Based on the understanding of cognitive concepts by international political psychology and relevant research results,this paper takes cognitive differences as independent variables and thus decomposes the structure of this concept.Finally,it is divided into six cognitive types: strategic thinking,strength assessment,sovereign interests,geopolitical security,ideology and intention judgment.On this basis,this paper studies the impact of different types of cognitive differences on the strategic interaction between China and the United States.Meanwhile,in view of the diversity and complexity of Sino-US strategic interaction cases,this paper adopts the clear set qualitative comparative analysis method(csQCA).Through the combination of quantitative analysis and qualitative research,the paper further demonstrates the important factors influencing the results of Sino-US strategic interaction.It is found that "cognitive difference in intention judgment" is the core condition that causes conflicts between China and the United States,while other factors are all marginal conditions.However,when interpreting different conflict cases,it shows an obvious combination nature.This conclusion proves from an empirical perspective that the theory of power transfer with "national strength" as the core and the "thucydides trap" based on the theory of power transfer are not valid.That is,the change of power structure does not necessarily lead to confrontation,but the serious miscalculation of intention is the decisive factor.On the contrary,the trap itself is self-fulfilling.Therefore,it is entirely feasible for China and the United States to manage their differences and build a new model of major-country relations featuring "no conflict,no confrontation" in benign competition.In addition,although ideology played an important role in the conflicts between China and the United States before the Reform and Opening-up,ideology did not necessarily lead to confrontation and conflict.On the contrary,over-playing ideology would easily lead to the misjudgment of each other’s intentions,which is the underlying reason for the conflict.In addition,the cognitive differences between sovereign interests and geopolitical security can be resolved through peaceful consultation without major misjudgments of intent.This shows that China and the United States should establish a fixed channel of communication based on sovereign interests and geopolitical security,exercise restraint on relevant issues and prevent major miscalculations.From the point of overall analysis results,realize the control of China and the United States,to prevent the bilateral conflicts and build a benign China-US strategic interaction is possible,and the prospect of the development of the two countries under the overall situation,stability,effective communication and timely at every level,frank for strategic interaction is a major means of preventing resolve potential conflicts.