Positional Realism: A Theory of Foreign Policy

Foreword
I
II
III
IV
Contents
Part I Introduction
1 The Significance and Research Path of Foreign Policy Theory
1.1 Interpretation Limitations of International Relations Theories
1.2 Topics Studied by Foreign Policy Theories
1.3 Research Path of the Foreign Policy Theory
1.4 Contents Studied by the Foreign Policy Theory
1.5 Summary
References
Part II Theoretical Research: Foreign Policy Theory of Positional Realism
2 Studies on Existing Foreign Policies and Their Limitations
2.1 Limitations of the Foreign Policy Analysis Path
2.1.1 Study on the Decision-Making Model
2.1.2 Study on the Interest Group Model
2.2 The Alliance Theory and Its Limitations
2.2.1 Traditional Realism Alliance Study and Its Limitations
2.2.2 Study on Neorealism Alliance and Its Limitations
2.2.3 Neoclassical Realism Alliance Study and Its Limitations
2.2.4 Alliance Study Based on Threat Perception and Its Limitations
2.2.5 Geographical-Based Alliance Study and Its Limitations
2.3 Existing Study on State Interests and Its Limitations
2.3.1 Ranking of State Interests and Theoretical Construction of Foreign Policy
2.3.2 Inter-State Interest Relationship and the Construction of Foreign Policy Theory
2.4 Summary
References
3 Foreign Policy Theory of Positional Realism
3.1 Theoretical Paradigms: Great Power Centricism and Rationalism
3.1.1 Great Power Centrism
3.1.2 Basic Rationality of States
3.2 Core Concept: Overall State Interest
3.2.1 The Connotation of the Concept of Overall State Interest
3.2.2 Overall State Interest: An Exploration of the Theory of Hegemonic Interests
3.2.3 Definition of Overall State Interest: Positional Interests of Great Powers
3.3 Causal Mechanisms: Overall State Interest and Great Power Foreign Policy
3.3.1 Interest Relationship and Foreign Policy
3.3.2 Definition of Interest Relationship: Power Relationship and Order Relationship
3.4 Theoretical Inference: Foreign Policy Hypothesis of Four Types of Great Powers
3.5 Summary
References
Part III Empirical Research: Foreign Policies of Six Great Powers in the Nineteenth Century
4 International Structure and International Order in the Nineteenth Century
4.1 The Incomplete Hegemonic Power Position of the United Kingdom
4.2 International Order Competition in the Nineteenth Century
4.2.1 Decline in the Importance of Land
4.2.2 Establishment of Free Trade Order
4.2.3 Changes of International Order Competition
4.3 Summary
References
5 Foreign Policy of the United Kingdom: Safeguarding Its Hegemonic Interests
5.1 Foreign Policy of the United Kingdom Before the Unification of Germany
5.1.1 Colonial Policy and UK-US Relations
5.1.2 The European Balance of Power Strategy of the United Kingdom
5.1.3 Relationship Between the United Kingdom and European Great Powers
5.2 Foreign Policy of the United Kingdom After the Unification of Germany
5.2.1 Changes of the United Kingdom’s Policy Toward Germany
5.2.2 Changes in the United Kingdom’s Policy Toward the United States, France, and Russia
5.2.3 Policy of the United Kingdom Toward Non-contenders
5.3 Foreign Policy of the United Kingdom in the Interwar Period
5.4 Summary
References
6 Germany and Russia: Potential Contender or Contender
6.1 Foreign Policy of Germany in the Nineteenth Century
6.1.1 Germany That Chose to Become a Potential Contender
6.1.2 Germany That Chose to Become a Contender
6.2 Foreign Policy of Russia in the Nineteenth Century
6.2.1 Reform and Rise of Tsarist Russia
6.2.2 Tsarist Russia’s Foreign Policy in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century
6.2.3 Hegemony and Retreat: Changes in Anglo-Russian Relationship
6.3 Summary
References
7 The United States and France: Foreign Policy of Potential Contenders
7.1 Foreign Policy of the United States in the Nineteenth Century
7.1.1 Anglo-American Conflict and Moderated Regional Goals
7.1.2 Anglo-American Reconciliation and Regional Dominance
7.2 Foreign Policy of France in the Nineteenth Century
7.2.1 Rise of France and Anglo-France Hegemony
7.2.2 The Shackles of the Vienna System and the Continental System
7.2.3 The Anglo-French Alliance Against Germany
7.3 Summary
References
8 Austria-Hungary, Foreign Policy of Non-contenders
8.1 Foreign Policy of Austria in the Age of Metternich
8.1.1 Metternich’s Concert of Europe
8.1.2 Austria Became a Second-Rate Power
8.2 Foreign Policy of Austria in Crimean War
8.2.1 Austria’s Opportunist Policy
8.2.2 Consequences of the Breakup of Austro-Russian Relations
8.3 Ethnic Conflicts and Economic Development in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
8.3.1 Ethnic Conflict in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
8.3.2 The Economic Development of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
8.4 Austro-Hungarian Diplomacy After German Reunification
8.4.1 Deterioration of Austro-Russian Relations
8.4.2 Disintegration of the League of the Three Emperors
8.4.3 Fight Over the Balkans and the Outbreak of World War I
8.5 Summary
References
Part IV Conclusion
9 Summary and Prospects of the Study of Positional Realism
9.1 Theoretical Summary of Positional Realism
9.2 Empirical Summary of Positional Realism
9.3 Evaluation and Prospect of Positional Realism
Afterword