Throughout the past three decades East Asia has seen more peace
and stability than at any time since the Opium Wars of 1839-1841.
During this period China has rapidly emerged as a major regional
power, averaging over nine percent economic growth per year since
the introduction of its market reforms in 1978. Foreign businesses
have flocked to invest in China, and Chinese exports have begun to
flood the world. China is modernizing its military, has joined
numerous regional and international institutions, and plays an
increasingly visible role in international politics. In response to
this growth, other states in East Asia have moved to strengthen
their military, economic, and diplomatic relations with China. But
why have these countries accommodated rather than balanced China's
rise?
David C. Kang believes certain preferences and beliefs are
responsible for maintaining stability in East Asia. Kang's research
shows how East Asian states have grown closer to China, with little
evidence that the region is rupturing. Rising powers present
opportunities as well as threats, and the economic benefits and
military threat China poses for its regional neighbors are both
potentially huge; however, East Asian states see substantially more
advantage than danger in China's rise, making the region more
stable, not less. Furthermore, although East Asian states do not
unequivocally welcome China in all areas, they are willing to defer
judgment regarding what China wants and what its role in East Asia
will become. They believe that a strong China stabilizes East Asia,
while a weak China tempts other states to try to control the
region.
Many scholars downplay the role of ideas and suggest that a
rising China will be a destabilizing force in the region, but
Kang's provocative argument reveals the flaws in contemporary views
of China and the international relations of East Asia and offers a
new understanding of the importance of sound U.S. policy in the
region.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!