In recent years, China's economic diplomacy has received more attention in the field of International Relations. Some scholars argue that China uses its economic diplomacy in a coercive way, while...Show moreIn recent years, China's economic diplomacy has received more attention in the field of International Relations. Some scholars argue that China uses its economic diplomacy in a coercive way, while other scholars argue against this notion. This thesis discusses China's economic diplomacy with its research question: "What drives China’s economic diplomacy in the case of political disputes in East-Asia?". The thesis examines two disputes between China and its neighbouring countries, Japan and South Korea, in order to research how China employs its economic power. The research is based on three factors that influence how China creates its economic diplomacy; national sentiment, history of the bilateral relations, and bilateral trade. Using process-tracing, the thesis examines these three factors of the THAAD dispute with South Korea and the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute with Japan. The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate that, while national sentiment, previous bilateral relations, and bilateral trade influence China's economic diplomacy, these factors do not influence China’s decision-making equally. The thesis concludes that national sentiment influences the Chinese government the most to use its economic diplomacy coercively.Show less
On July 13, 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands, against China’s increasingly assertive claims in the South China Sea...Show moreOn July 13, 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands, against China’s increasingly assertive claims in the South China Sea (SCS). Three years later, the Court awarded outcomes in favour of the Philippines, rejecting China’s nine-dash line sovereignty claims. As scholars provide different interpretations of China’s subsequent behaviour, this thesis contributes to such debates by examing China’s economic diplomacy towards the Philippines, understanding such tools to serve both political and economic objectives. Analyzing official government statements and contemporary news reports, it is found that China has applied economic diplomacy to both pressure the Philippines over SCS issues and to vigorously promote and improve bilateral economic relations. This has led to China’s economic diplomacy downplaying the significance of the PCA ruling while accentuating the importance of bilateral economic ties.Show less
Research master thesis | Latin American Studies (research) (MA)
closed access
This master thesis will be devoted to the switch in Dutch foreign policy towards Latin America. Hereby we are reffering to the switch from a more development oriented policy towards a policy that...Show moreThis master thesis will be devoted to the switch in Dutch foreign policy towards Latin America. Hereby we are reffering to the switch from a more development oriented policy towards a policy that lays attention on the economic relations. We are aware of the comprehensiveness of the Latin American region, but due to the various developments that have taken place over the years we consider it important to look at Latin America in general. Subsequently, we will take a closer look at specific countries. The first chapter is the theoretical framework, the second chapter will be aimed at the relations between the Netherlands and Latin America in the period of the 1970s to the early 2000s and the third chapter will be aimed at the current relations between the Netherlands and Latin America and includes special attention to the following countries: Cuba, Colombia, Panama, Mexico and Chile.Show less
Advanced master thesis | Political Science (Advanced Master)
open access
Economic diplomacy is now a standard practice. However, the strategies that countries use differ. This thesis examines if countries in the same income category, low middle, upper middle and high...Show moreEconomic diplomacy is now a standard practice. However, the strategies that countries use differ. This thesis examines if countries in the same income category, low middle, upper middle and high-income have similar strategy. It would follow from the literature that based on high-income status a more advance and integrated strategy is used. Research in this thesis concludes that especially the countries in the upper middle-income category are still traditional in their policy development and management, but when it comes to economic aid donors these countries have innovative programs in place.Show less
