IR in Southeast Asia: Review

1
IR in Southeast Asia Review

• December 8, 2005

2
Pre-colonial SE Asia

• struggle for domination among Vietnamese, Thais,
  and Burmans, at the expense of Khmers
• Western colonization halted the rivalry, but
  temporarily.
• Distrust among them
• Maritime numerous kingdoms in islands w/ less
  continuity
• Chinas hierarchical order tributary system

3
The Colonial Effects

• The end of subregional interstate system
• Integration of SEA into global intl system
• Nationalism and independence struggles
• Boundaries and modern nation states
• ? territorial disputes
• Note Japan interregnum the East Asia
  Co-prosperity Sphere
• recurring themes in SE Asia IR

4
Theoretical Approach

• State remains the unit of analysis
• Realism vs. Constructivism
• Eclectic approach

5
SE Asia in the Cold War

• The Vietnam War
• The Cambodian Conflict
• Realist balance of power
• Threat perceptionsBalance of threat
• Sources of threat culture and identity
  (constructivism)

6
ASEAN

• Response to communist threat
• Response to great power rivalry and for regional
  autonomy
• For peace among members
• Important role during the Cambodian conflict
• Realist at first but later developed some
  identity (constructivism)

7
The Post-Cold War SE Asia

• Challenges and Opportunities
• Uncertainty of power balance, the rise of China,
  territorial disputes ? Response by ARF
• Prospects for economic cooperation
• ASEAN expansion
• Transnational issues--Human security

8
Globalization

• The rise of unrestrained global
  capitalism/finance weak governance in SE Asia ?
  financial crisis
• the Wall St-Treasury-IMF Complex
• ASEAN3
• The Chiang Mai Initiative (for swap arrangement)

9
Foreign Policies of SE Asian Countries

• Elite and leadership
• interrelated internal and external security
• Varying threat perceptions
• U.S. ally camp Philippines, Thailand, Singapore
• Omni-enmeshment

10
Intra-SE Asian Relations

• Ethnic factor and maritime tensions
• lingering animosity in continental SE Asia
• Territorial disputes as the legacy of colonialism
  
• ASEAN as utility

11
U.S.

• U.S. prefers bilateralism in SE Asia, compared to
  preference for multilateralism in Europe
• U.S. gulf b/w rhetoric and actual policy
• Reengagement and improved relations after 9/11
• SE Asia accepts U.S. involvement and security
  presence as stabilizer.

12
China

• From ideological Mao to economic-oriented Deng
• Cooperation w/ ASEAN (esp. Thailand) during the
  Cambodian Conflict
• Though South China Sea dispute but increase
  cooperation ? for multipolarity
• Regional leadership

13
Japan

• SE Asia has always been the answer for Japan in
  hard times.
• 1985 Plaza Accord ? FDI ? production network ?
  regionalism
• From economic interest to increasingly political
  interest post-Cold War role and rivalry w/
  China

14
East Asian Regionalism

• In market gt institutions
• Informal, based on networks of Japanese
  production and Chinese businesses
• Open regionalism
• How will the East Asian Community evolve?

15
The War on Terror and Islamic Insurgency

• Islam is the main religion in several SE Asian
  countries. Other countries also have substantial
  Muslim population.
• Numerous groups that may resort to violence
  (secessionist, rebel, tugs, religious groups)
• Economic difficulty esp. after the financial
  crisis ? more people go to mosques
• Spread of intl terrorism

16
The War on Terror and Islamic Insurgency (cont.)

• Varying degree of cooperation
• Phi.ThailandSing.MalaysiaIndonesia
• Pragmatism
• Domestic pressures (from Islamic groups and
  opposition)
• All countries fear Islamic radicalism.

17
Effects on SE Asia

• By and large, improved relations with the U.S.
• Some rifts among ASEAN members over the U.S.
• Distrust of Muslim neighbors

18
Thank you and Good Luck