Regime Change and Foreign Policy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8113751
AutoresSimone Dossi (0000-0001-8340-186X, autor correspondente)
Ano2015
Volume14
Fascículo1
Páginas98-123
Data de publicação2015-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEuropean Journal of East Asian Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1568-0584 • E-ISSN: 1570-0615
EditoraBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/15700615-01401009
OpenAlexW1413790454
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas4

Regime change and foreign policy adjustments have been closely intertwined in Myanmar’s recent experience. Since 2011, domestic political transition has been paralleled by changes in the country’s foreign policy posture, with Naypyitaw reconsidering its dependence on Beijing while seeking rapprochement with Washington. Taking Myanmar as a case study, this essay aims to address the theoretical issue of how regime change influences the foreign policy of a country. The first two sections draw on Foreign Policy Analysis and Comparative Politics to develop an analytical framework for the study of foreign policy choices during regime change. The focus is on how transitional politics interacts with external influence, against the background of loosened distinctions between the domestic and international levels. The last two sections test the analytical framework against the ups and downs of Myanmar’s economic cooperation with China. Two decisions of the Myanmar government are analysed: the 2011 decision to suspend cooperation on the Myitsone dam, and the 2012 decision to continue cooperation on the Letpadaung mine. While apparently contradictory, Naypyitaw’s behaviour on these two occasions helps to unravel the dilemmas that foreign policy decision-makers face at times of political transition

Asian studies · Beijing · China · Development economics · Economic system · Economics · Foreign policy · Foreign policy analysis · Government (linguistics · International relations · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Transition (genetics · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Global Political and Social Dynamics · Law