Vargas, Maritoni L. September 12, 2014 4ASN2 ASN 901 Cooperation has been a vital technique in the international relations to achieve their goals. According to Hemmer and Katzenstein (2002), Regionalism and its effects to the countries are essential in the international politics (p. 575). Regionalism is defined as “consciousness of and loyalty to a distinct region with a homogeneous population” (“Regionalism”, n.d.). It suggests a relationship that requires the commitment of each states with each other and most especially to their region. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is an international organization that seeks to promote economic, social, and cultural development among its member states. However, ASEAN has pushed …show more content…
2). This explains that every part of the society possesses respective roles and function that can immediately cause transitions in the society. As an integration theory, functionalism in the international relations is defined as an international cooperation that sustains the needs of the people and state. One of the proponents of this theory is David Miltrany. He proposed the inevitable formation of a group-nation that will secure cooperation, loyalty and cohesion among the members of the group that is essential to its existence (Alexdrescu, 2007). This cooperation among the states has provided different mutual benefits and advantages. Since, ASEAN is regional group it has provided efficient benefits to its member …show more content…
However, there are a lot of conflicts happen around the world that include the other member-states of the region. The diplomatic and political benefit that was explained by Kurus in his article is not applicable in the current situation of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. According to Barta and Tejada (2014), said that during the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar, the organization has failed to take the issue of China regarding its territorial disputes among the other Southeast Asian countries. One of the country involved I the disputes is the Philippines. There is a failure on having a united position regarding the territorial disputes. The political and diplomatic benefits of ASEAN is not applicable because the member-states in the region do not have a common agreement on what will be the response to these disputes. China has been an economic partners of other ASEAN countries as well as the ASEAN itself. Some are not willing in “antagonizing” with China because it may affect their economic relationship (Keck, 2014). Unlike to the situation in the Vietnam-Cambodian Conflict and Thailand being affected by the Vietnamese invasion in Cambodia is a very different scenario from the conflict in the West Philippines Sea or South China Sea (Kurus, 2014, p. 824). The conflict encompasses only
The end of the Cold War brought a dramatic turn in the world history. The collapse of bipolar balance brought the need to normalize poor diplomatic relations and also to reassure and mature pre-existing strong diplomatic ties between states. Japan was certainly not an exception to this need. The importance of playing a lager role in regional and global security as a way of ensuring its security interests grew in Japan as the proceeding balance of power, or pre-existing security, became unreliable to her. Indeed, she initiated the regional security entity called the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to strengthen Asia-Pacific security. But why did Japan take the role to propose such an institution? What is Japan’s stake in this regional security entity? Why is the entity based on multilateralism? And finally, how much can the ARF achieve to strengthen Asia security?
The author insists to look at China’s rise from the East Asian context by giving historical references and concluding that China was a dominating power responsible for peace in the region then; and is now as well. He asserts again and again that East Asian states do not fear china’s growth and do not work to balance its rise contrary to standard IR theories based on western experiences. This is mainly because of two bold reasons. For the first argument, David references to the hierarchical system prevalent in East Asia from 1300-1900 where the neighboring states looked over to China as a stable centroid. The second reason is that all the nations today are self-occupied in achieving economic growth and in their internal power issues.
From the realist point of view, the international political system is considered as anarchic. There is a lack of external authority among states that ensures peace, stability and balance of power. In the analyzed document, the author's main thesis states that changes of the system would alter the international political system. However, changes within the system will maintain its anarchism. In order to support his thesis, the author replies to liberal critics, who consider the neorealism as obsolete taking into account three important arguments against the neorealism.
In order for countries to cohesively overcome international barriers, frameworks of ideal political standards must be established. Two of these frameworks constantly discussed in international relations are the theories of Neo-realism and Liberalism; two theories with their own outlook at the way politicians should govern their country as well as how they should deal with others. Neo-realism lies on the structural level, emphasizing on anarchy and the balance of power as a dominant factor in order to maintain hierarchy in international affairs. In contrast, Liberalism's beliefs are more permissive, focusing on the establishments of international organizations, democracy, and trade as links to strengthen the chain of peace amongst countries. Liberalism provides a theory that predominantly explains how states can collaborate in order to promote global peace; however, as wars have been analyzed, for example World War II, the causes of them are better explained by Neo-realist beliefs on the balance of power and states acting as unitary actors. Thus, looking out for their own self interest and security.
Given these sets of circumstances, china, Taiwan and United States have much to gain and even more to lose if an armed conflict erupts in the Taiwan Strait. All three countries have political, economic, and national security issues involved and united states and china are both in competition economic...
ASEAN was formed to promote economic growth, understand each other cultures and to enhance and sustain own country’s living standards so as to allow their citizens to maximize their full potential. These countries will also arrange a meeting regularly so as to discuss on how to improve on ASEAN Trade and also with more interaction, they are able to synchronize among them and it has the benefit to ensure that civil peace are always in place.
Neo-functionalism is a theory initially proposed by Ernst Haas during the 1950s in response to the creation of the ECSC (Bomberg, 2008: p11). One of the main ideas in the neo-functionalism theory is the concept of the “spillover”, where, “integration triggers endogenous economic and political dynamics leading to further integration” (Majone, 2005: p42). In other words, integration in one area, can in itself can cause further unintended integration in another area, even if the individual nation states are reluctant to integrate (Fligstein et al, 2012: p106). Therefore neo-functio...
Solingen, E. (2008). The Genesis, Design and Effects of Regional Institutions: Lessons from East Asia and the Middle East. International Studies Quarterly, 52, 261–294. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.
The 21st Century has witnessed Asia’s rapid ascent to economic prosperity. As economic gravity shifts from the Western world to the Asian region, the “tyranny of distance [between states, will be] … replaced by the prospects of proximity” in transnational economic, scientific, political, technological, and social develop relationships (Australian Government, 1). Japan and China are the region’s key business exchange partners. Therefore these countries are under obligation to steer the region through the Asian Century by committing to these relationships and as a result create business networks, boost economic performance, and consequently necessitate the adjustment of business processes and resources in order to accommodate each country’s
Throughout the world system, there are over one hundred and ninety diverse countries with ranging cultural differences. Each of these countries are diverse in their own right and they vary in economic, political, and social aspects. Many nations possess their own national identity, which fosters a great sense of diversity. These countries have differences in culture, economics, politics, and social policy. However, amongst the several differences that many countries embrace, there are some similarities between each nation. This phenomenon of cohesive resemblance is known as globalization. Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, cultures, and governments of different nations. This research paper will examine the phenomenon of globalization and the trends regarding international connectedness. This paper will also examine a socioeconomic view of globalization as it relates to the rise of increasing interconnectedness in international politics.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) began in 1989 in reaction to the developing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies. At first this organization was a group that met unofficially. APEC now has become the crucial provincial conduit for encouraging open trade and realistic economic cooperation. It’s objective is to progress Asia-Pacific economic vitality and the essence of the people.
According to Waltz’s theory (neorealism – structural realism), the international system is structured around two principles: anarchy and the distribution of capabilities. Waltz defines the international system as anarchical as it entails a lack of higher authority above the states. Therefore, the international system is essentially a self-help system made up of states that are independent in which states perform similar tasks and pursue similar goals. The main point is that, under anarchy, each and every state operates on its own without resorting to any higher authority. The lack of a centralized government or institution that regulates state behaviours and that enforces laws and regulations triggers illegal behaviours.
Far across the Pacific Ocean and the familiarities of the West is a region wildly different from conventions akin to liberal democracies; the region of the Asian South-Pacific encompasses the area from China to the south, and India to the east. While each country included may have similarities beyond geographic location, it is important to distinguish between each as they are, due to state sovereignty and the prevailing issue of nationalism. Main superpowers in the area are, aside from India: China and Japan. The major superpowers of the region have, of course, directly influenced the ways in which smaller countries conduct themselves domestically – through ideology and economic strength, for example – and in foreign politics within the region and abroad. While China’s recorded history is millennia older than that of the continental United States, one could argue that, due to political instability, globalization, and the development of technology, China’s own government and politics have been diluted into a pseudo-democratic, nationalistic state. Since the 1990’s, the leadership of China has strongly been influenced by nationalism; therefore, when dealing with issues surrounding the country, it is essential to examine the essence of nationalism within China, and why a country focuses on strengthening nationalism as a way to secure stability within. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to examine the relationship between China and others in the regional – especially where tensions often rise and disputes occur. In studying the essence of nationalism within the Southeast Asia (SEA) region, one of the best examples of national identity creating clashes between states, in the modern era, would be the disputes over the Senkaku/Diaoy...
Much of the political case for regional economic integration stems from national security. Another case study provided by Hill is the European Union. The nation states of Western Europe bonded together in an effort to deal with the political giants of the USSR to the east and the USA to the west. Further, regional economic integration can facilitate political harmony between nations due to their increased level of
Regional economic integration enhances political cooperation. Several group of nation can have significantly greater political influence than each nation would have by individually. This integration is an essential strategy to address the effects or issues of conflicts and political instability that may affect the region. Improved political cooperation due to regional economic integration is also useful tool to handle the social and economic challenges associated with globalization. Countries which are link together will be more dependent on each other that will reduce the likelihood of violent conflict between each nation. This integration will also give countries greater political clout when dealing