This paper is a comparative case study which investigates the type and sources of the changes in foreign and economic policies by the US and Russia towards Cuba in the time frame of 2008 –2017 for two main reasons: firstly, both the US and Russia changed their policies towards Cuba remarkably in this episode; secondly, US-Russia relations went through several distinctive changes in this period, which arguably influenced their respective relations to Cuba (Stent, 2015, p. 10).
To analyse and compare the policy changes, an alternative explanatory model to analyse foreign policy change (FPC) is constructed. This model is constituted by a three-step procedure. As a first step, it employs the sources of FPC as independent variables as outlined by Eidenfalk, while it puts emphasis on the political-institutional setting as an additional independent variable. The second step is constituted by Eidenfalk’s “window of opportunity”, which needs to be perceived by policy-makers to enact change. The third step is formed by the four degrees of FPC which are employed as dependent variables as put forward by Hermann.
This study has both empirical and theoretical aims. The empirical aim is to identify the degree and the most influential factors of the policy changes undertaken by the US and Russia towards Cuba. However, this study also demonstrates broader implications on the similarities and differences of the sources of Russian and US foreign policy-making and moreover, on US-Russia relations in general. Since these two countries have a tremendous effect on world affairs due to their leverage on the world stage, their bilateral relations can considerably affect other players of the international system. Further, this paper adds to the discussion on the future development of Cuba, as the future of the island arguably depends on its relations with Russia and the US. The theoretical aim is to make a contribution to the study of FPC, by combining comparative foreign policy analysis (CFP) with the study of FPC.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Literature Review
1.1 Comparison of US and Russian foreign and economic policies towards Cuba
1.2 Theories of Foreign Policy Change
Chapter 2 Case selection
Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework
Chapter 4 Methodology
4.1 Data collection
4.2 Data analysis
Chapter 5 Findings and Discussion
5.1 Extent of Foreign Policy Changes
5.1.1 US
5.1.2 Russia
5.2 Sources of Foreign Policy Changes
5.2.1 US
5.2.2 Russia
5.3 Comparison
Conclusion
Objectives and Scope of the Study
This comparative case study investigates the type and sources of changes in foreign and economic policies implemented by the US and Russia towards Cuba between 2008 and 2017. The primary goal is to analyze why both nations shifted their policies significantly during this period and to determine the degree and influential factors of these changes, utilizing an alternative explanatory model for foreign policy change.
- Comparative analysis of US and Russian foreign policy towards Cuba.
- Development of an explanatory model for foreign policy change.
- Examination of the political-institutional settings in the US and Russia.
- Investigation of the impact of domestic and international factors on policy decisions.
- Evaluation of the degree of policy change (adjustment, program, goal, or orientation change).
Excerpt from the Book
5.1.1 US
Cuba-US relations had been on ice since 1961, when the US terminated its diplomatic relations with Cuba during the Cold War (Eisenhower, 1961). On December 17th, 2014, US President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced the commencement of normalising relations between Cuba and the US, which media sources have named “the Cuban Thaw” (The White House, 2014; Baker, 2014). In the Statement on the Cuba policy changes, Obama stated that “in the most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests” (The White House, 2014). Part of the statement was a prisoner swap, which is considered as a major shift in Cuba-US relations (Kumar, 2014).
In April 2009, Obama already had lifted restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba (“Cuba Profile”, 2018). During the Obama administration about 23 bilateral agreements were adopted (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba, 2017). Previous to the Obama administration, no treaties had been signed, due to the absence of diplomatic relations. One of the last actions Obama undertook as US President was putting an end to the “wet food, dry foot” policy for Cubans, which had given a special immigration status for migrants fleeing Cuba (The White House, 2017).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides context regarding the shift in Cuba-US relations, introduces the research question and objectives, and outlines the methodology and theoretical approach used in the paper.
Chapter 1 Literature Review: This section reviews existing academic research on foreign policy, specifically contrasting US and Russian policies towards Cuba and discussing prevailing theories of foreign policy change.
Chapter 2 Case selection: This chapter justifies the choice of Cuba as a case study, explaining its historical significance to US-Russia relations and the rationale for the 2008-2017 timeframe.
Chapter 3 Theoretical Framework: The author constructs a three-step analytical model based on existing literature to evaluate the sources and types of foreign policy change.
Chapter 4 Methodology: This section details the qualitative and quantitative methods, including primary and secondary sources, used to collect and analyze data for the study.
Chapter 5 Findings and Discussion: This central chapter presents the analysis of foreign policy changes for both the US and Russia, categorizing them by domain and evaluating the underlying sources of these shifts.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming the theoretical and empirical objectives were met and suggesting avenues for further research.
Keywords
Foreign Policy Change, Cuba, United States, Russia, Comparative Analysis, Normalization, Economic Policy, Political-Institutional Setting, Diplomacy, International Relations, Window of Opportunity, Sanctions, Bilateral Relations, Decision-making, Policy Reform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on a comparative analysis of the foreign and economic policy changes by the United States and Russia towards Cuba during the 2008–2017 period.
What are the primary themes explored in this work?
The study explores foreign policy restructuring, the influence of domestic versus international factors, the role of political systems in decision-making, and the nature of US-Russia-Cuba triangular relations.
What is the primary objective of the paper?
The primary objective is to identify the degree of policy change (using a proposed classification model) and to detect the causal factors or sources that led both the US and Russia to significantly alter their Cuba policies.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The author employs a comparative case study approach, utilizing primarily qualitative research methods, including discursive analysis and process-tracing, supplemented by relevant quantitative economic and public opinion data.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a literature review of foreign policy theories, the construction of a unique analytical framework, and a detailed sector-by-sector analysis (politics, security, economy) of the changes in US and Russian policies towards Cuba.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Foreign Policy Change, US-Cuba normalization, Russian foreign policy, comparative analysis, political-institutional setting, and diplomatic relations.
How do US and Russian decision-making processes differ according to the author?
The author argues that US decision-making is more susceptible to interest groups and public opinion within a system of checks and balances, whereas Russian policy is highly centralized and elite-driven with less societal influence.
What is the "window of opportunity" concept in this analysis?
Derived from Kingdon's approach, it represents a specific timing when structural changes or events allow policy-makers to push through their agenda for foreign policy change.
- Quote paper
- Inga von der Stein (Author), 2018, Comparative Analysis of the Changes in US and Russian foreign and economic policies towards Cuba 2008 - 2017, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/507537
