REGIONAL STRUCTURE OF ASIAREGIONAL STRUCTURE OF ASIAFragmentation vs. Unification

Neo-Realism Structure determine its destiny Multipolar systems tend to instability than bipolarNeo-Liberalism Structure of a system is less than important than

other factors such as domestic regimes of the nation.

Civil wars and ethnic strife are major problems in the world

Democratic vs. non-democratic states Big power vs. small powers Big power vs. Big powers Build community and nationTwo common features in Asia A relatively low level of income inequality An extraordinary high rate of overall national

economic growth

► European experience and the implication in Asia

► The external expansion will definite coincide with phases of intense industrialization and economic development (UK, France, Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, and the US).

► China’s expansion is matter of time?► How to deal with the emerging power?

Gap between the rich and the poor Ethnic and religious division Nationalism (a reflection of the region’s diversity) Territorial dispute History – a subject of disagreement Weak linkages among the nations Hostility because of economic competition Competition of nuclear capabilities Increasing military race Structural cause: more fluid, complex, and less certain

alignments

Meiji regime began in 1868 Samurai became the government’s leaders and

officials The army reform and conscription law laid the

basis for a mass army (1872-1873) The domains were abolished and replaced by

prefectures with centrally appointed governors Land reform in 1872 Political reform and the introduction of Western-

style parliamentary government Economic reform

The Sino-Japanese War in 1894 Japan annexed Taiwan, but Russian intervention

prevented Japanese annexation of the Liaodong peninsula

Chinese compensation strengthened Japanese army and navy for next military invasion

Russo-Japanese War for controlling Korea & Manchuria in 1904

Japanese victory paved the way for a protectorate over Korea in 1905 and annexation in 1910

Western power supported all Japanese aggressions before 1931

Japan saw colonies as a way to overcome a persistent balance of payment deficit

Increasing urbanization and industrialization led the Japanese to view colonies as a source of agricultural products

The growth of Japanese industry led to concern for sources of raw materials and for secure export markets

The colonies played an important role in preparations for war

► Taiwan Never a nation, never had a central state before the

1890s A less intrusive state, more light industry, more small-

business and family enterprises, more egalitarian distribution, less nationalism

The paochia system for political control Personality—easier for anyone to govern The “one of the most successful colonial programs” in

the world in terms of banking system, rationalized agriculture, strong and efficient government

► Korea Korea’s millennium-long history of continuous,

independent existence within well-recognized territorial boundaries

Startling ethnic homogeneity Strong nationalism Korean horrible experience in the WWII (hard

labor in mines and factories, sexual slavery)