This course studies the international relations of Pacific Asia, i.e., the relations of the region’s component parts both inter se and with external powers, incl. the United States, the former Soviet Union (now Russia), and the EU. Pacific Asia is defined to comprise, in descending order of importance: China, Japan, the four Asian NIE’s (newly industrialized economies, viz.: South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore), and ASEAN-5 (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei; minus the newly admitted Indochina states and Myanmar, the former Burma). North Korea will also figure in our discussions of, among other things, the security problems endemic to the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.
Admittedly, this is a vast area to account for in one course, even though we have chosen to leave out Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Pacific island states, which are usually considered to be part of the “Pacific Basin.” We will try to maintain a coherent view of the Pacific Asia region as a whole, while we study the foreign relations of the region’s members.
To give the course a focus, we will pay more attention to two key countries – China and Japan – and draw in other key actors (e.g., the U.S., Russia, etc.) more or less around the fulcrum of their external relations or in the context of the reach of their influence (e.g., Southeast Asia). The term “relations” used here denotes their political, security, and economic dimensions. Although some in-depth understanding of the past (since the end of WWII) is indispensable, the emphasis is on the post-Cold War era, which witnesses, among other things, the rise of what some scholars call an age of comprehensive security. The term incorporates geoeconomics, which means that, after the Cold War, a nation’s economic clout counts more than its military might, and that economic security rivals military security in importance. Because of its robust economic success (despite the financial crisis hitting the region in 1997-1998), Pacific Asia is said by many (incl. the World Bank) to be destined to lead the world’s other regions in the 21st century. If so, it is potentially a momentous development for the global balance of power. Other component parts of comprehensive security include environmental and human security, both of which are addressed in the course.
TEXTBOOKS FOR PURCHASE
^Derek McDougal, The International Politics of the New Asia Pacific (Lynne
Rienner, 1997);
^Inoguchi Takashi & P. Jain, Japanese Foreign Policy Today (Palgrave, 2000);
^Sheldon Simon, The Many Faces of Asian Security (Rowman & Littlefield, 2001);
^Roger Thompson, The Pacific Basin Since 1945, 2d ed. (Longman, 2001).
^James C. Hsiung, 21st Century World Order & the Asia Pacific (Palgrave, 2001).
Additional Test Recommended for Purchase
+Samuel S. Kim, China and the World, 4th ed. (Westview Press, 1998)
BOOKS on RESERVE
*Samuel S. Kim, China and the World, 4th ed. (Westview Press, 1998).
*James C. Hsiung, Asia Pacific in the New World Politics (Lynne Rienner, 1993);
hereunder cited as *JCH.
1. Intro: International Power Structure of Asia & the Pacific Since
the End of WWII
^Thompson, 1-39; 40-72
*JCH, 213-234
2. Pacific Asia in the Post-Cold War Order
^Thompson, 277-312
^Hsiung, 17-56; 77-80
*JCH, 1-20
^Simon, 49-70
3. China as a Regional & Global Actor
^McDougall, 27-34
^Hsiung, 87-88; 366-368; 308-325
*JCH, 71-92
*+Kim, 3-90
^Simon, 71-87
4. China’s Relations with the Major Powers
^McDougall, 75-94 (with the US); 109-122 (with Russia)
^Thompson, 106-138
*+Kim, ch. 4:91-113 (with the US); ch. 5:114-132 (with Russia)
^Hsiung, 356-357; 360 (the China-US-Japan triad)
5. China’s Relations with Its Neighbors
^McDougall, 95-108
*+Kim, ch. 6 (with Japan)
*JCH, 113-134 (with Taiwan)
6. Japan as an International Actor
^Takashi & Jain, 43-135
^McDougall, 35-46
^Thompson, 194-228
*JCH, 21-48; 49-70
R: Porter, Takeuchi, and Sakakibara (Can Japan Compete?)
7. Japan’s Relations with Its Neighbors
^Takashi and Jain, 177-225
^McDougall, 123-138
R: Harris & Cotton, ch. 8 (Japan’s Int’l economic policy)
R: Thakur & Thayer, 101-124
R: Curtis, 263-322
8. Japan’s Economic & Security Relations in the New Era
^Takashi and Jain, 136-176
^Thompson, 218-258
R: Curtis, 202-262
R: Cronin, ch. 6
R: Garrett & Glaser
9. The Two Koreas and Northeast Asian Security
^McDougall, 139-172
*JCH, 93-112
^Takashi and Jain, 226-250
R: Sam Kim (on North Korea)
10. Southeast Asia in Asia Pacific
^McDougall, 173-198; 199-234
*JCH, 135-160
^Takashi and Jain, 251-265
^Hsiung, 213-256;
R: Whiting
11. Regionalism & Regional Institutional Building
^Hsiung, 159-212
*JCH, 195-212
12. Comprehensive Security in Asia Pacific
^Hsiung, 96-118; chs. 8, 9, and 10
^Simon, 115-230
13. U.S. & Russian Roles in Asia Pacific
^McDougall, 17-26; 47-55
*JCH, 161-176; 177-194
^Simon, 231-241
R: Thakur & Thayer, 85-100; 281-284
14. Rise of a Pacific Era?
^Hsiung, 80-121; 343-378
*JCH, 235-262
R: Cronin, 119-133
Legend:
^ indicates textbook used for the course.
+ = recommended textbook
* = book on reserve
R: = recommended reading; but not required, nor on reserve.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE.
As we try to weave diverse strands together and update the readings in class lectures, class attendance is absolutely essential. In addition to the in-class final exam (plus possibly a mid-term), a summary paper is required, due at the time of the final examination. The summary paper should incorporate your notes from the readings and from class lectures. The idea is to demonstrate that you have done the readings and attended class. Length of the paper is flexible, but in no case should it be over 25 pages double-spaced (no elite type or small font please). Past experience indicates that preparation of the summary paper is a best way to prepare for the examination(s).
My office hours are Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.. and other times by appointment. My office is at 715 Broadway, Rm. 423; and my direct line is: (212) 998-8523 (with voice mail), and e-mail: <jch2@nyu.edu>.