2017, Vol.44, No.2

Korean Social Science Journal 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.06

pISSN : 1225-0368 / eISSN : 2196-4424
https://journal.kci.go.kr/kssj

This article delves into a relatively understudied yet critically important aspect of US-China relations―intelligence, subversion, espionage and what can be called “covert relations.” It sheds new light on the question of “great power conflict” between the US and China by examining the identity struggle in terms of covert efforts, or the perception of such efforts, to undermine one another. Taking a broad historical perspective, covert action is identified as a principal arena of contestation in Sino-US relations since the establishment of the PRC in 1949. This approach also draws attention to the positive contribution of “intelligence sharing” in building trust between adversaries, a notable feature of US-China rapprochement in the 1970s. With China’s economic and geopolitical rise in the early 20th century, fear of subversion resurfaced as a key element in the relationship, as is likely to continue to be the case in the Xi-Trump era.

This research deals with the restoration of relations between nations, focusing on the “normalization of diplomatic relations” between two “adversary states” in East Asia. It aims to determine what causes two enemy states to restore their relations; additionally, the possibility of stable peace is expected, as normalization would not only affect the two protagonist states. Therefore, it can be used as a starting point for stable peace among nations. This research considers two cases: China-Vietnam and China-South Korea normalization in the 1990s. Through these cases, the research is expected to determine the causes and processes of securing stable peace in East Asia. First, the process leading to rapprochement in East Asia follows three steps: (1) Unilateral accommodation, (2) Non-political interaction, and (3) Reciprocal restraint. Additionally, the three variables of “weaker state, domestic policy, and the third party” are building blocks that lead states to rapprochement. The weaker state tends to take the initiative of improving relations. Based on the weaker state’s initiative, its domestic policy promotes societal and economic exchanges between countries. Lastly, the third party plays a key role in the process of restoring relations in East Asia.

It is irrefutable that the incarceration of parents disrupts the normal upbringing of children and existing relationships between children and their parents. Apart from that, most caregivers struggle to meet the various needs of children due to the added burden on their shoulders. This study sought to examine children’s experiences by their gender, looking at how the incarceration of parents affected the children socially, economically and psychologically. The study was conducted in the Maseru District of Lesotho. Research relied primarily on data gathered from interviews with 49 children of incarcerated parents and 13 caregivers. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study unearthed that the problems confronting children were centred around shortage of finance which led to 83.7% of the children having inadequate clothes, 83.7% lacking uniforms and 40.8% of them being unable to access health facilities when sick, among others. The majority, 81.63%, were angry at their incarcerated parents. The main recommendation was that safety nets need to be improved to cushion the children of the incarcerated parents as well as their caregivers.