本研究基於現實主義觀點,認為國家利益是影響國家行為者決策的主要因素。而在國家利益考量的層面中,決策者必先就實際情形進行分析,以判斷威脅可能對各項國家利益形成何種程度的影響,對利益強度加以界定,以判斷應優先採取何種對應措施。一旦國家利益的強度決定後,政策目的亦可隨之確立,並進而擬訂作法加以實行。政策的實行將呈現為法律或命令等管制規範,並藉此達成國家安全目的。在政策實行相當時期後,決策者又必將再次檢視政策實行是否有效達成國家安全目的,並再次考量各項威脅因素,以決定是否重新進行國家利益考量與政策規劃。而在國家利益的分析架構上,本研究參考Donald E. Nuechterlein所設計之國家利益分析矩陣,並針對我國特殊情形,將其國家利益種類中之「世界秩序利益」排除,而改以「政治安全利益」及「美國安全利益」與國防、經濟、意識型態等國家利益作為分析要素。 基於上述,本研究以我國「戒急用忍」、「積極開放、有效管理」、「積極管理、有效開放」三階段的對大陸經貿政策為對象,分別就政策之形成背景、該時期國家利益的界定、政策與規範之形成及內涵,以及政策與規範之運作結果是否達成該時期所欲實現的國家安全目的進行檢視;並對我國的各項安全利益之相互關係進行探討。
Realists consider that national interests are the main factor which will influence decision-makers when they make the national security policy. The decision-maker have to recognize the situation to judge what is threatening the national interests and determine how serious the threats are. Then the government takes measures so called policies and regulations to cope with risks as well as dangers to protect its nation. After being implemented, these security policies should be re-examined to see whether they achieve a goal— to ensure the nation’s survival. If they fail to achieve the goal, the decision-makers will rethink the interests and threats mentioned above to decided if it is necessary to remake the decisions or replan the security policies. The objects of this research are Taiwan economic and trade policies toward China: the policy of "no haste, be patient", the policy of "proactive liberalization with effective management", and the policy of "Proactive management and effective liberalization." The research is going to explain why these policies are needed in response to the crises, how government determine the extent of the threats, the content of these national security policies, and whether they carry out the goal of nation’s survival. The search also seek to illustrate the interaction of Taiwan security interests.