Trilateralism in Asia
The Malaysian International Affairs Forum and the department of history at the University of Malaya have launched a series of seminars on U.S.-Japan-ASEAN relations in order to supplement the official dialogue. There is an excellent chapter on U.S.-ASEAN relations by Hans Indorf, a penetrating assessment by Sukhumbhand Paribatra of Thailand's perception of security, and a first-class chapter by K. S. Nathan on the evolution of U.S.-Soviet rivalry in Asia. The editors conclude with a cogent plea for closer interaction among the three major political actors in Pacific Asia.
Related
Forecasts the emergence of an international order based on 'civilian powers', defined as states dependent on economic co-operation, supra-national structures, and primarily economic (rather than military) means of defending the national interest. A discussion of the potential of the FRG and Japan as such powers.
Growth is a beseiged deity. An increasing number of economists and policy- makers are becoming convinced that it is imprudent for a country to devote all its efforts toward maximizing the rates of overall growth-and wait for the benefits to trickle down to all sections of the population. Trickle- downism is thus on the wane. Developing countries are now being warned that rapid growth is liable to take too long to alleviate the miseries of the poor, and that for long periods rapid growth may indeed worsen the lot of large numbers-hence they should launch "direct attacks" on poverty.
Conventional wisdom claims that Japan's "economic miracle" stemmed from its unique model of government guidance and its revolutionary corporate management techniques. An in-depth study proves this seriously wrong. Rampant government intervention has caused more business failures than successes, and a fundamental cautiousness has led Japanese companies to ignore strategic thinking and shun risk. To pull out of its current slump, Japan must embrace competition, innovation, and bold leadership.

Sign-up for free weekly updates from ForeignAffairs.com.