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Abstract

A recent power play between the EU and China resulted in counter-sanctions by China which included a German think tank. While the actual contribution of think tanks to the political sphere is controversial, they yet seem to be of great importance to the EU-China strategy. Using an inductive research design, this dissertation explores the role of think tanks and their impact on the EU-China strategy. Reviewing literature, it is derived to generally exert influence on policymaking, think tanks should address the agenda setting and policy formulation stages of the policy cycle. Further, the great fragmentation of the EU offers multiple entry points for think tanks to have an impact. In a comparative analysis of two think tanks on the topics of Foreign Direct Investments and One Belt One Road this dissertation identifies that similar concerns and recommendations were raised. Through process tracing it is identified that the EU possibly welcomes those inputs by promoting further research though funding. Moreover, it can be assumed that political actors participate in knowledge exchange activities with think tanks. Lastly, some issues repeatedly raised by the think tanks were later considered by the EU. To conclude, think tanks play an important role in the EU-China strategy by bridging science and politics as well as addressing issues, concerns, and recommendations to politics.

Course: International Relations - MA - P2929FTD

Date Deposited: 2022-08-18

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13996.html