Racial Stereotypes and American Foreign Policy Preferences

• In Event: International Politics Are Racial Politics

Abstract

This research examines the impact of racial stereotypes about Asians on American foreign policy attitudes towards China. With the rise in anti-Asian violence and strained US-China relations, particularly since the onset of the pandemic, it is crucial to understand how racial perceptions influence policy views. The study contends that stereotypes about Asians vary in their effect on American foreign policy preferences towards China. Due to the unique stereotypes typically attached to Asians, stereotypes about Asians’ warmth (intentions) and competence (capabilities) are not expected to significantly influence these preferences. However, stereotypes about Asians’ foreignness, reflecting a persistent bias, likely foster a sense of cultural disconnection and conflicting interests, leading to more hardline foreign policy stances. An original survey experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of both implicit and explicit racial stereotyping on American foreign policy views towards China. Results show that stereotypes regarding Asians’ warmth and competence, whether implicit or explicit, do not markedly affect American foreign policy preferences. In contrast, stereotypes of foreignness markedly lead to harsher policy stances on security, economic, and cultural issues. Interestingly, this effect diminishes among participants with close ties to Asians, indicating that personal relationships might counteract stereotype-based policy preferences.

Authors

• Boliang Zhu, Pennsylvania State University

• Frances Yaping Wang, Colgate University