Research Question: How does the competition for natural resources in the South China Sea affect the lack of climate change cooperation between the United States and China?
Argument: I argue that the competition for natural resources in the South China Sea negatively impacts the relationship between the United States and China, specifically for climate change cooperation. The competition for natural resources escalates conflict between the United States and China which makes it hard for them to work together to address climate change. These escalations of tensions instead hinder the smooth collaboration required to respond to the increasing changes. Moreover, the competition for resources in the South China Sea exacerbates existing geopolitical rivalries between the two countries. As they compete for control and influence in the South China Sea region, cooperation on global issues like climate change takes a back seat to more immediate and strategic concerns. The focus shifts towards asserting dominance and protecting national interest, rather than working together towards sustainable environmental practices.
Sources that are used in this paper draft need to be from databases, books, journal articles, etc. And these should be incorporated in the literature review.
What should be included in the paper, follow this order in the paper:
Introduction
Should include:
Brief history, a very brief context of the topic
Motivation for Research
Research question (1 sentence): The entire paper will revolve around this question
The research question should be mentioned at least one in the introduction
The answer to the research question (1 sentence)
Research GAP
Has this been done already?
What have you identified?
Ex: People have talked about the South China Sea, but missed this…
Literature Review
Should include:
Sources that are in conversation with the paper
Sources should be those that ask the same research question or related research questions
Sources should those with authors examining a similar topic that is relevant for thinking about the answer to your question
The central task for the literature review is to reveal the gap in existing research
In the end of the literature review, readers should be able to answer the following questions:
Has someone else already done what you are doing?
What are the existing debates surrounding/related to your research question
What is inadequate about these existing debates/studies?
Theory
Should include:
Independent variable or dependent variable
An explanation of the research gap (what is your position?)
Given that gap how are you going to fill that gap
Best argument in support of your issue
Logic of the argument
Why are you in this position?
What is your argument?
Research Design/Research Methods
Should Include:
How do you plan to show the reader you are right?
How are you going to demonstrate the argument is right or wrong?
Statistical Analysis (case study is the best thing, blue print of what the research is going to be)
If you choose a case study, why did you choose a case study, why didn’t you choose a regression
Why did you choose this specific method?
Justify case selection (why is it right?)
Few sentences on what are you exactly going to use to do the case study
Are you going to look at books, Japanese news articles?
What kind of sources are you going to use?
Evidence (3 case studies) – Use only PRIMARY sources, DO NOT USE SECONDARY SOURCES.
Should Include:
Actually showing the results of the research
Now having read about this topic
What is the evidence that supports your argument?
What is the evidence that supports your argument?
Use the case studies about:
China’s Military Expansion in the South China Sea
Spratly Islands Conflict
South China Sea Arbitration Case (Philippines vs. China) in 2013
Evaluation
Should Include:
Now having shown your best evidence, this section is to reflect on what you found
Changes to reflect upon your argument
Critique your argument
Ex. This is a piece of fairly strong evidence, but disapproves my theory…
Conclusion
Should include:
A summary of what you just did
What did you exactly find in your research?
What are the policy implications?
Discuss the implications in this section
Bibliography
Use Wilson Center Digital Archive (https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/)
Use National Security Archive (https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/)
Use CIA Archives (https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/historical-collections)
