ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the United States policy of engagement with China by employing theory, historical examples, and an analysis of the Chinese political economy. The czarist Russia and Wilhelmine German cases show how nondemocracies can have different institutional biases that affect how economic ties are translated in the policy process and influence foreign policy. The chapter considers the extent to which Chinese economic development has depended on integration into the world economy. It then examines the nature of the Chinese political system, focusing on identifying the officials to whom top Chinese leaders are accountable, the 'selectorate'. It also shows that the highest leaders in China have made a strong commitment to continued economic reform. It concludes that as long as China's engagement in the world economy continues, Chinese leaders are unlikely to pursue foreign policy that is so conflictual as to jeopardize China's economic links and reform efforts.
