The Nexus Between U.S. Foreign Policy and Conflict Resolution Or Protraction: the Case of North Korea
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THE NEXUS BETWEEN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION OR PROTRACTION: THE CASE OF NORTH KOREA by Roland B. Wilson A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Conflict Analysis and Resolution Committee: ___________________________________________ Chair of Committee ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Graduate Program Director ___________________________________________ Dean, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution Date: _____________________________________ Summer Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA The Nexus between U.S. Foreign Policy and Conflict Resolution or Protraction: The case of North Korea A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at George Mason University By Roland B. Wilson Master of Arts Indiana State University, 2005 Bachelor of Arts Indiana State University, 2003 Director: Richard E. Rubenstein, Professor School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution Summer Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Dedication In memory of my mother and father. I have never forgotten that you both had no chance for an education and died too young, long before this day came. Although we did not have much, your love and guidance made me strong, and continue to this day to shape and guide me. And to all my fellow Veterans, let no one tell you that you can’t achieve all that you dream to be, regardless of obstacle, or disability. ii Acknowledgements This day would not have come without the endless guidance and mentorship of my committee members, and the support, friendship, faith, and love from so many dear friends and family. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my chair, Dr. Richard E. Rubenstein, and my dynamic committee members, Dr. Solon Simmons and Dr. Young Chan Ro for their excellent guidance, care, and patience. Thank you for believing in me; I am forever in your debt. I would also like to thank the entire faculty and staff of the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, and my dear colleagues, too many to mention, for their friendship and support. Thank you for providing me with the inspiration to succeed. I would also like to acknowledge the great impact that my fellow servicemembers and veterans have had on me. Finally, I would like to thank my family who tolerated and sacrificed so much over me for so long in order for this day to come. I would like to end with a quote that I believe applies to everyone I have ever met in my life. The word “Ubuntu” originates from one of the Bantu dialects of Africa and it fittingly translates into: “I Am Because We Are.” iii Table of Contents Page List of Tables ................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ................................................................................................................. viii Abstract ............................................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1: Overview......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Research Hypothesis.................................................................................................................. 4 Justification for Study ............................................................................................................... 5 Methodology and Analytical Scope ........................................................................................ 11 Results of Research and Hypothesis ...................................................................................... 13 Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................................... 16 Study Significance ................................................................................................................... 16 Study Delimitations ................................................................................................................. 17 Study Limitations .................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................ 20 Geographical and Historical Related Literature and Overview ......................................... 20 Geography ............................................................................................................................. 20 Early History ......................................................................................................................... 22 Modern History ..................................................................................................................... 23 Introduction to the Modern Protracted Social Conflict in Korea ....................................... 26 Primary CAR Theories ........................................................................................................... 28 Contact Theory ...................................................................................................................... 28 Positioning Theory ................................................................................................................ 33 Chapter 3: Research Methodology ................................................................................ 40 Methodology and Design ......................................................................................................... 40 Data Collection (Phases) ......................................................................................................... 41 Phase I ................................................................................................................................... 41 Phase II .................................................................................................................................. 42 Phase III ................................................................................................................................ 45 iv Qualitative Content Analysis (during all phases) ................................................................. 45 Timeline .................................................................................................................................... 46 Objectivity, Role of Researcher, and Validity ....................................................................... 47 Human Subjects Protection and Ethical Considerations ..................................................... 48 Logistics .................................................................................................................................... 49 Chapter 4: Defining and Creating U. S. Foreign Policy .............................................. 51 Definition of U.S. Foreign Policy ............................................................................................ 51 The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy ........................................................................................ 52 General Goals and Objectives of U.S. Foreign Policy .......................................................... 53 Tools and Execution of U.S. Foreign Policy .......................................................................... 54 Chapter 5: The History of U.S. Foreign Policy ............................................................ 62 The Early Years of U.S. Foreign Policy ................................................................................. 63 A Growing Nation’s Desire for more Power, Influence and Control ................................. 65 The World Wars and the effect on U.S. Foreign Policy ....................................................... 66 Superpower Status, Communism and Containment ............................................................ 67 End of the Cold War and new Containment ......................................................................... 69 United States and Imperialistic Tendencies .......................................................................... 70 Chapter 6: U.S. Foreign Policy toward East Asia ........................................................ 73 U.S. Colonial Search for New Markets .................................................................................. 73 Defeat of the Japanese in World War II and the Cold War in East Asia ........................... 77 Proxy War, Nuclear Threats and U.S. Hegemony ................................................................ 81 Chapter 7: U.S. Foreign Policy towards North Korea ................................................ 85 Continued Policy of Containment, Isolationism and Nuclear Assurance ........................... 86 Awakening of U.S. Interest in North Korea and an Increase in hard power Politics ....... 88 Instances of Minor Divergence in U.S. FP toward North Korea ......................................... 89 Modest Initiatives .................................................................................................................. 89 Humanitarian Assistance ......................................................................................................