Sino-Soviet relations, 1972-1988: American elites' perceptions and policies toward Chin

This dissertation contends that Sino-Soviet rapprochement in the 1980's created a significant impact on American elites' perceptions of and policies toward China. How did Sino-Soviet relations change from hostility in the 1970's to rapprochement in the 1980's? How did American elites perceive the changes in Sino-Soviet relations? What kind of adjustments were made in the Unites States' policy toward China in response to such changes?;The underlying hypothesis of this study is that the changes in the directions of U.S. policies toward China were the results of changes in American elites' perceptions of Sino-Soviet relations. Most of the sources are from the U.S. government and American scholars, published during the 1970's and 1980's. Relevant doctrinal issues of American foreign policy, including containment, detente, and the strategic triangle, have been reviewed.;Five models of American elites' perceptions of and policies toward China were created and tested, representing the following views: (1) Sino-Soviet rapprochement is in U.S. national interests and therefore the U.S. should encourage such a development; (2) Sino-Soviet rapprochement hurts U.S. interests, and therefore the U.S. should discourage China from getting closer to the Soviet Union; (3) the most desirable Sino-Soviet relationship is neither hostile nor friendly, therefore the U.S. should encourage China to maintain the equidistance from both superpowers; (4) Sino-Soviet disputes benefit the U.S., therefore the U.S. needs to encourage Chinese struggle against the Soviets; and (5) hostile Sino-Soviet relations may damage U.S. interests, accordingly the U.S. should discourage China from getting into conflicts with the Soviet Union.;The study found that major debates over the five models were focused on the intention, reliability, and capability of China as a counterbalance to Soviet expansionism. This study indicates that the Nixon and Ford administration fit into the fourth and fifth models, the Carter administration into the second, third, and fourth models, and the Reagan administration into the first and second models. This study concludes that U.S. policies towards China have changed from the fifth to the first model.