Scientific racism as ideology: James G. Blaine and the US approach to China in the late nineteenth century

By discussing late nineteenth century scientific racism in light of recent advances in the study of the cognitive dimension of ideology, this article offers a new conceptual framework to help clarify the role of scientific racism over interstate relations. In particular, the study argues that beliefs rooted in biological determinism and cultural forms of scientific racism provided key US foreign policymakers such as James G. Blaine with the ideological rationale and justification to pursue policies of exclusion against Chinese immigration, racial hostility, and geopolitical rivalry vis-à-vis China. In addition to offering a more conceptually precise framework addressing the complexities and implications of scientific racism as ideology, this study explains that the Open Door policy in Asia should also be understood as a strategic and political expression of late nineteenth century scientific racism.