Sino-US Relations and the Role of Emotion in State Action

Set to be the most important bilateral relationship of the twenty-first century, the US-China relationship is a topic with direct contemporary global relevance. This book adopts a novel and innovative approach to investigating the underlying dynamics of this relationship by focusing upon three well-publicised crises and highlighting how social interests were key dynamics driving these interactions and their transformation. Following the end of the Cold War and the political fall-out from Tiananmen, the US and China ended the last century and began the new one with three significant crises: the Taiwan Straits Crisis, the bombing of a Chinese embassy, and the Spy Plane Incident. In each of these incidents the two states resorted to confrontation and animosity before shifting towards a peaceful resolution. How did these transformations become possible? How did this relationship plunge towards confrontation over three apparent accidents? What factors were shaping these events and each actor's behaviour? In attempting to answer these key questions, this book pays attention to interests outside of the traditional confines of hard power, recognising the influential role played by language, identity and emotions in constructing interests based upon the need for recognition, respect and dignity.