Abstract
Nations sometimes adopt foreign policies that seem less rational and not aligned with their economic, security, or diplomatic interests. It highlights the limitations of Realism and Liberalism in explaining such foreign policy anomalies. My thesis explores how national identity influences foreign policy formation through the ‘status-identity constructivism’. It supplements Wendtian constructivism by adopting Lebow and Clunan’s theory that historical experiences and status adjustments shape national identity. This national identity wrought subtly different foreign policies, which were also affected by competition among political factions. Methodologically, the thesis employs discourse analysis and interviews for case studies on Japan, South Korea, and China’s early modern and contemporary periods. The main objectives of the case studies were: 1) Japanese national identity and policy over the GSOMIA issue since 2017; 2) South Korean national identity and policy over the THAAD dispute between 2016 to 2023; 3) Chinese national identity and policy over the Senkaku issue since 2010. It tests three hypotheses: 1) National identity influences foreign policy decisions by shaping how countries perceive themselves; 2) The foreign policy decision-making process is affected by interactions among political elites, each with their own identities and interests; 3) National identity impacts policy-making by influencing elite thinking and defining national interests.Some notable findings and empirical case studies from my PhD research hold significant potential for further development with additional time and effort. Given that my thesis passed the viva without corrections, I am confident that my research offers remarkable theoretical insights and empirical contributions with implications for both academia and policymakers. With the support of a one-year postdoctoral fellowship, I am committed to advancing my work and producing one or two notable academic journal articles based on my PhD research. This would enable me to refine and expand my findings, ensuring a meaningful contribution to the field.
| Date of Award | 1 Oct 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Ramon Pacheco Pardo (Supervisor) |