US Trade Policy with China and Civil Liberties

Paper Summary:

This work makes a thorough review of the available literature relating to U.S. trade relations and policy with China, as well as the impact that free trade has had upon human civil rights and democracy in the country of China. The paper states that one of the important outcomes of free trade in the country of China has been the reduction of poverty. This in turn, according to the paper, has lead to growing power vested in citizens of the country and less power vested in the ruling party. Furthermore, it asserts that the rapid change in China has been termed to be a 'transformation' in many primary aspects of living demonstrated in the improved economic and financial aspects in China, as well as serving to impact political aspects in the country as well. The paper concludes that the government in China does not appear to be ready to shun the economic benefits of trade liberalization even if that means making room for the effects of democratization that goes along with economic benefits.

Outline:
Introduction
Idealism versus Realism
Free Trade: U.S.and China Trade Relations
Trade Liberalization and Democratization
Creeping Democratization (Minxin, 1995)
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The work of Ying Ma relates that in spite of what the United States or even the citizens of China may desire, 'the Chinese Government has so far quashed and neutralized pressure for fundamental political change. Beijing controls and stunts precisely those instruments that contribute to the success of broad-cased domestic opposition: It cracks down on political opponents, co-opts potential ones, and indoctrinates the masses. It is eagerly attempting to maximize economic modernization while minimizing its liberalizing effects.' (Ma, 2007) Ying Ma states that there are several 'concrete steps' that might assist promotion of democracy in China. The first of these steps is that 'the United States should not wade into the quandary of slowing Chinese economic growth and cannot stop the Chinese government from institutionalization itself or co-opting its rival political groups,...' however it is possible that the U.S. can do more toward combating 'other sources of authoritarian resilience by strengthening China's political opposition and countering the regime's restriction of coordination goods that range from press freedom to the ability to organize.'"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Daniel T. Griswold, CATO Institute, (2005)"Trading Tyranny for Freedon: How Open Markets Till the Soil for Democracy."
• Dorn, James A. (1996) Trade and Human Rights: The Case of China. The Cato Journal Vol. 16 No.1. Spring-Summer 1996 Online available at: http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj16n1-5.html
• Fewsmith, Joseph (2007) The Political Implications of China's Growing Middle Class. China Leadership Monitor. No. 21 The Hoover Institution. Online available at: http://www.hoover.org/publications/clm/issues/8535722.html
• Gresser, Edward (2006) Trading in Myth - Blueprint Magazine 9 February 9 2006. Progressive Policy Institute. Online available at: http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=108&subsecID=206&contentID=253726
• Griswold, Daniel (2005) Australia, the United States, and the Road to Free Trade. Australia Aug 8-16 2005. Online available at: http://www.aiiavic.org.au/files/papers/Griswold.p

More papers on US Trade Policy with China and Civil Liberties:

• Research Paper # 122686 : "US Trade Policy and the Developing World"
• Term Paper # 125559 : "National Security and Civil Liberties"
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