Honors Theses

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Abstract

This thesis through a case study method examines U.S. involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as One Belt, One Road, with an emphasis on analyzing the benefits and costs associated with U.S. involvement, lack of involvement, and maintenance of current status. As a rising power, China hopes to further expand its influence through BRI. Historically, whenever there is a rising power and an existing dominant power, there exists a potential risk of war. What does this mean for the U.S.? Should the U.S. oppose this initiative to lessen China's power? Or should the U.S. be involved in the infrastructure initiatives to help with the development of the countries involved in the BRI? Or should the U.S. continue to standby and observe where the BRI will lead? Three case studies are generated based on the following hypothetical scenarios: (a) the U.S. actively supports BRI, (b) the U.S. actively opposes BRI, and (c) the U.S. maintains the current status.

Date Defended

5-1-2018

Thesis Director

Banerjee, Vasabjit

Second Committee Member

Snyder, Christopher

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