Northeast Asia’s Stunted Regionalism: Bilateral Distrust in the Shadow of Globalization

A comprehensive picture of the pursuit of regionalism across Northeast Asia in the 15 years following the Cold War. In each of six periods, the main dynamic of regionalism and the problems that slowed regionalism’s advance are identified. The evolving strategies of China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia are examined, emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations while keeping in mind the globalizing US role. By focusing on debates in each country, most rarely covered in English, the book demonstrates how suspicion of neighbors and clashing strategies have undermined aspirations for regionalism. Only by learning the lessons of this transitional era will regionalism be placed on a stable footing. These include: fully embrace globalization while using regionalism for balance, work together in integrating North Korea while recognizing South Korea’s pivotal role, compromise to allow China and Japan to share leadership, and focus on a long-term vision of Northeast Asia.

• A comprehensive approach to regionalism through balanced coverage of each of the actors and close scrutiny of successive stages • International relations seen through the lens of Northeast Asian nations and grounded in informative sources in Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Korean • Treatment of distrust among nations as no less important than security and economic ties

1. Introduction: the challenge of the NEA region; 2. Exiting the 1980s: cold war logic and national aspirations; 3. 1991–93: border fever and cross-border duplicity; 4. 1994–96: civilization bridges and historical distrust; 5. 1997–98: strategic partnerships and national rivalries; 6. 1999–2000: sunshine policies and security dilemmas; 7. 2001–03: unilateralism and irrepressible regionalism; 8. Conclusion: lessons for constructing regionalism in NEA.

\'This book is a must read for students of Asian international relations and regionalism. … his book breaks new ground by tracing the process of identity formation and transformation and the interaction of identities … Rozman\'s book is thus a much-needed correction to the prevalent parsimonious scholarship of economists or realists who assume certain human nature and interests, … Rozman provides common themes to organize his nuanced analysis of the intricate interplays between perceptions and realities … Rozman makes a very strong statement, that is, national identities prevail over economics and security. … Rozman\'s book will surely prepare one for the bumpy road ahead.\' International Relations of the Asia-Pacific