Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Michelle Mood
Second Advisor
Ruth Dunnell
Abstract
The relationship between the Tibetans and the Chinese state is often misunderstood as a dualistic antagonism between two ideologically unified groups. However, this relationship is in fact quite complex, formed over time through interactions between various players and interests. This paper investigates the interdependent nature of the relationship between the Tibetans and the Chinese state and reveals the dynamism of Tibetan protest that emerges from this relationship. Utilizing various theories of policymaking as well as social movement theory, I analyze the progression of Tibetan contention through four periods of the relationship between the Tibetans and the Chinese state: liberal (1950-1958), Maoist (1959-1979), liberal (1980-1989), and repressive (1990 until the present). The progression through each of these periods demonstrates a feedback relationship in which the methods of citizen protest reflect the framework for claim making as defined by the state and this framework for claim making is in turn redefined in response to contention.
Recommended Citation
Berke, Lauren, "Tibetan Contention and the Chinese Regime: The Dynamics of Protest and Policy" (2014). Honors Theses. 113.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/honorstheses/113
Rights Statement
All rights reserved. This copy is provided to the Kenyon Community solely for individual academic use. For any other use, please contact the copyright holder for permission.