The Tibet – China Question Under Investigation a Master Thesis
Author
Jacobsen, Henrik Skaksen
Term
4. term
Publication year
2012
Submitted on
2012-06-29
Pages
69
Abstract
Denne afhandling inden for internationale relationer undersøger, om Kina og den tibetanske eksilregering kan nå en løsning, som begge parter kan acceptere. Udgangspunktet er, at parterne har forskellige historiefortællinger: Tibet hævder, at landet ikke tilhører Kina, mens Kina hævder, at Tibet er en del af Kina. Denne grundlæggende uenighed sætter rammerne for undersøgelsen. Afhandlingen præsenterer relevant baggrund for at understøtte den teoretiske analyse. Den anvender socialkonstruktivisme (en tilgang, der ser på, hvordan idéer, identiteter og normer former staters adfærd) til at forklare, hvorfor parterne tænker og kommunikerer forskelligt, og hvordan deres identitet og kultur påvirker muligheden for at indgå aftaler. Derudover inddrages realisme og geopolitik (fokus på magtforhold og strategiske interesser) for at belyse magtrelationer og handlemønstre. Af klarhedshensyn behandles den tibetanske eksilregering som en statsenhed i analysen. På tværs af disse perspektiver peger afhandlingen på, at en forhandlet løsning er mulig, men mindre sandsynlig, end eksilregeringen håber. Afhandlingen undersøger Middle Way Approach, foreslået af Dalai Lama og accepteret af eksilregeringen, som vil give Tibet betydelig, men ikke fuld, autonomi. Den viser, hvorfor Kina kan have grunde til at overveje denne model, men konkluderer, at Kina sandsynligvis ikke vil acceptere den.
This thesis in international relations examines whether China and the Tibetan exile government can reach a solution acceptable to both sides. It starts from the fact that they tell different histories: Tibet claims it does not belong to China, while China claims Tibet is part of China. This fundamental disagreement frames the analysis. The thesis provides background to support its theoretical assessment. It uses social constructivism (an approach that studies how ideas, identities, and norms shape state behavior) to explain why the sides think and communicate differently, and how identity and culture influence the prospect of agreements. It also draws on realism and geopolitics (a focus on power relations and strategic interests) to analyze power dynamics and patterns of action. For clarity, the Tibetan exile government is treated as a state entity in the analysis. Taken together, these perspectives suggest that a negotiated solution is possible but less likely than the exile government hopes. The thesis examines the Middle Way Approach, proposed by the Dalai Lama and accepted by the exile government, which would grant Tibet significant but not full autonomy. It explains why China might have reasons to consider this model, yet concludes that China is unlikely to accept it.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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