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THERE IS AN APPARENT LACK OF SYMMETRY IN U.S.-CHINE SE RELATIONS DUE PARTLY TO DIFFERENCES IN HOW AMERICANS DO THINGS AND PARTLY TO WHAT BOTH ARE SEEKING FROM EACH OTHER. THIS LACK OF SYMMETRY IS FOUND IN THE REALMS OF DIPLOMACY, CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND TRADE.

ALTHOUGH CULTURE IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL CONCEPTS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, THE DISCIPLINE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE WAS SLOW TO EXPLOIT IT IN SPITE OF ITS OBVIOUS RELEVANCE FOR MANY BASIC CONCERNS IN THE DISCIPLINE, SUCH AS LEGITIMACY, TRADITION, CONSTITUTIONAL NORMS, AND BASIC NATIONAL VALUES. HOWEVER, ONCE THE CONCEPT WAS ACCEPTED IN THE 1950S THERE WAS A DECADE OF INTENSE INTEREST IN CULTURAL ANALYSIS DURING WHICH LEADING FIGURES IN ALL THE SOCIAL SCIENCES ENGAGED IN BOLD THEORY-BUILDING. FOR VARIOUS REASONS INTEREST IN POLITICAL CULTURE DECLINED IN THE 1970S, BUT RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A REVIVAL OF WORK ON POLITICAL CULTURE. THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A REVIEW OF THE EARLY HISTORY IN HOPES OF HELPING THE REVIVAL TO PROCEED ON A SOLID BASIS.