Scaling techniques the US strategy towards china 2017-2021 (case of Taiwan)

Abstract

The article explains utility of scaling technique in science of international politics. The employment of the method is demonstrated via measuring US’ think tanks’ influence on America’s strategy towards the PRC (case of Taiwan) during the Trump presidency. The author discerns practical disadvantages of scaling in analyzing complex concept - foreign policy decision-making process. Think-tanks’ materials were utilized as the main object of the analysis. Recommendations skedded by experts were juxtaposed with actual actions concerning Chinese vector of US foreign policy during the Trump administration. The research also challenges conventional wisdom which postulated inconsistency as the dominant component of foreign policy decision-making during Trump’s presidency. While former POTUS’ personal approach, at times, caused discrepancies within the US strategy towards China, the pillars of this strategy were based on factual and long-term analysis conducted, in part, by think-tanks. It was of practical interest to suggest using the method more exposed to verification unlike traditional historical methodology or classical research methods in political studies. The article provides a brief analysis of one of the core issues within Sino-American relations - Taiwan. By discerning the US think-tanks’ recommendations and trailing down application of those in real policy framework gives us more detailed insight on think-tanks’ involvement in the decision-making process during the Trump administration.