Singapore's existence and success derive in part from its achievements in the domestic political arena and in part from the skilful management of a well-defined foreign policy with clearly identifiable goals and issues. A visible core of realist self-reliance is layered with the demands of a competitive trading state that requires a liberal international trading regime. Hence, both competitive and cooperative philosophies support Singapore's foreign policy. This text charts the philosophical underpinning of Singapore's foreign policy output and the institutions responsible for it and examines the importance of economic and defence diplomacy that are central to Singapore's foreign policy output. It gives particular attention to the two most important regional bilateral relationships -- with Indonesia and Malaysia -- and how relations with its adjacent neighbours have influenced Singapore's foreign policy. Combining first-hand research with excellent analysis, this volume provides a much-needed report on the survival of a small state in the globalizing world.

This volume focuses on some of the most important and topical questions about Myanmar. Many of these issues have not been sufficiently researched, comprehensively compiled, and comparatively examined within the broader Southeast Asian context. Especially important contributions in the book pertain to issues of historical influence and political considerations that have shaped the dominant thinking within the state and the military. There are equally important studies of sensitive topics like the political economy of the state and the level of human security in the country. The three major ethnic groups in the country - Karen, Kachin, and Shan - are also studied in detail. Some of the negotiations between the Karen and Kachin ethnic insurgent group representatives on the one hand, and the military junta on the other, are spelled out in detail. An important corollary finding is the importance of religion and religious personalities in brokering peace between the ethnic groups and the military government. Finally, the book deals with how the various ethnic groups are trying to cope with decades of conflict and reconstruct their communities.

Since at least the 1990s, international mediation efforts have investigated whether civil conflicts could be resolved through democratization. The results have been mixed, and within the scholarship there is no real framework for how to approach the question, let alone any agreement on the answers. Drawing on concrete cases from three continents, and bringing together contributions from political scientists, historians, area specialists, and international relations experts, International Perspectives on Democratization and Peace takes stock of all the efforts expended in pursuit of peaceful, democratic settlements to civil conflict and provides a sorely needed framework for thinking clearly about the role of democratization in international mediation processes. In three sections, authors give a philosophical and historical elaboration of the key questions, investigate seven applied case studies that survey the impact of democratization on civil conflicts in diverse global contexts, and discuss how US preference for its own interests over international democratization has delayed, but not indefinitely forestalled, the process of democratization in many parts of the globe, a process that demands continued, serious analysis and discussion. This book is a must-read not for scholars within international relations, international political economy, development studies, political science, and peace and conflict studies.

In 2012, the Communist Party of China (CPC) inaugurated the Xi Jinping era when it elected him to be the General Secretary of the CPC. The following year Xi was elected President of the People's Republic of China. The Xi Jinping era has seen a remarkable transformation of Chinese foreign policy, which has been adjusted to facilitate the achievement of what Xi has proclaimed as "the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation." Xi's Belt and Road Initiative has become a major element of Chinese economic diplomacy, while the Chinese military-industrial complex under his leadership has strengthened China's extensive claims in the South China Sea with reclamation works and the installation of military facilities on its occupied islands. This edited volume will focus on the countries of Southeast Asia and examine how their relations with China have been transformed in the Xi Jinping era.

Singapore's existence and success derive in part from its success in the domestic political arena and in part from the skilful management of a well-defined foreign policy with clearly identifiable goals and issues. A clear core of realist self-reliance is layered with the demands of a competitive trading state that requires a liberal international trading regime. Hence, both competitive and cooperative philosophies underpin Singapore's foreign policy.
In "Realism and Dependence in Singapore's Foreign Policy," Narayanan Ganesan charts the philosophical underpinnings of Singapore's foreign policy output and the institutions responsible for it and examines the importance of economic and defense diplomacy that are central to Singapore's foreign policy output. It gives particular attention to the two most important regional bilateral relationships-with Indonesia and Malaysia-and how relations with its adjacent neighbors have influenced Singapore's foreign policy. Combing first-hand research with excellent analysis, this volume provides a much needed report on the survival of a small state in the globalizing world.
"Realism and Dependence i"is essential reading for academics in the field of Asian studies and Asian foreign policy, and will be of interest to scholars across a wide range of disciplines in the region and the world.

In 2012, the Communist Party of China (CPC) inaugurated the Xi Jinping era when it elected him to be the General Secretary of the CPC. The following year Xi was elected President of the People's Republic of China. The Xi Jinping era has seen a remarkable transformation of Chinese foreign policy, which has been adjusted to facilitate the achievement of what Xi has proclaimed as "the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation." Xi's Belt and Road Initiative has become a major element of Chinese economic diplomacy, while the Chinese military-industrial complex under his leadership has strengthened China's extensive claims in the South China Sea with reclamation works and the installation of military facilities on its occupied islands. This edited volume will focus on the countries of Southeast Asia and examine how their relations with China have been transformed in the Xi Jinping era.