Pacific Asia?: Prospects for Security and Cooperation in East Asia

by Mel Gurtov

Overview

Most studies of Asia-Pacific security are marked by pessimism and continuing belief in the virtues of a balance of power. Pacific Asia? goes against the grain by pointing to a number of positive developments—especially economic—in regional relationships, the absence of an arms race, the growth of multilateral groups, and an emerging consensus on the importance of nonmilitary paths to national security. Above all, Mel Gurtov stresses a definition of security that focuses on basic human needs, social justice, and environmental protection. The author disagrees with proponents of a China threat, criticizes U.S. Cold War notions of security through forward-based power, and argues for new efforts at regional dialogue based on multilateral cooperation, sensitivity to Asian nationalism, and a role for Japan as a 'global civilian power.'

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461640554
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/17/2001
Series:	Asia in World Politics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Mel Gurtov is professor of political science and international studies at Portland State University. He is editor-in-chief of Asian Perspective, an international affairs quarterly journal.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 List of Abbreviations
Chapter 2 Preface
Chapter 3 The New Face of Security in Post-Cold War Asia
Chapter 4 Sources of Security and Insecurity
Chapter 5 The Asian Way
Chapter 6 China Rising: Threat or Opportunity?
Chapter 7 Japan: Dependent Nationalism
Chapter 8 The Two Koreas: Uneasy Coexistence
Chapter 9 The United States and East Asia
Chapter 10 Toward a More Pacific Asia
Chapter 11 Bigliography
Chapter 12 Index

Editorial Reviews

Looking closely at the present and future security in the region, Gurtov (political science & international studies, Portland State University), examines military and strategic concerns but also emphasizes what he identifies as the less-studied areas of human, environmental, and resource security, and issues of sustainable development and social justice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Within the context of a burgeoning literature on Asian security, this book is wise, welcome, and timely. It suggests a range of preventive policies that are workable, globally humanist, and culturally appropriate.

Journal of Asian Studies

Within the context of a burgeoning literature on Asian security, this book is wise, welcome, and timely. It suggests a range of preventive policies that are workable, globally humanist, and culturally appropriate.--Journal of Asian Studies

From the Publisher

Within the context of a burgeoning literature on Asian security, this book is wise, welcome, and timely. It suggests a range of preventive policies that are workable, globally humanist, and culturally appropriate.

Journal Of Asian Studies