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Pacific-Asian Economic Policies And Regional Interdependence

Edited by Robert A. Scalapino and others
Reviewed by Donald S. Zagoria
Winter 1989/90
Pacific-Asian Economic Policies And Regional Interdependence
Edited by Robert A. Scalapino and others
Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California
1989
352 pp.
$20.00
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This volume contains a number of valuable essays on the growing regional economic interdependence in the Pacific. There is a particularly useful essay by Robert Campbell on Soviet economic policy in the Pacific that concludes that there is little basis for rapidly expanding economic activity in the Soviet Far East or in Soviet trade with Asia. Russia's natural economic partner, he concludes, is Western Europe.

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Essay, Special 1988
Soviet Policy in East Asia: A New Beginning?
Donald S. Zagoria

Soviet options in East Asia are limited by the USSR's lack of economic influence, but Gorbachev's new flexible diplomacy has led to limited advances. Discusses current relations with China, Japan, and the two Koreas, noting that influence in the Pacific region's economy is likely to be marginal for the next few decades. Concludes that prospects are good for a reduction in tension in the region.

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Essay, Fall 1987
Asia's Future
Robert A. Scalapino

Three issues preoccupy Asia's leaders (1) economic strategy (2) political stability versus greater openness (3) regionalism. The accelerating socio-economic revolution presents challenges to both the Marxist and the democratic states. There is a requirement for increased public participation, greater local autonomy and more regional and international interaction. On balance the odds favouring a largely peaceful revolution are lengthening.

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Essay, Jul/Aug 1998
Smashing the Iron Rice Bowl
Neil C. Hughes

The preeminent symbol of the Chinese Communist Party's economic policies has been an unbreakable iron rice bowl, standing for cradle-to-grave social security. But with Beijing unable to keep its state enterprises -- behemoths that employ about 76 million workers -- afloat, China is teetering between economic reform and social unrest. At last count, 15 million workers were officially estimated to be redundant, and the real number may be higher. Beijing must cushion their fall to avoid a second Tiananmen Square uprising. The iron rice bowl is cracking and may soon shatter.

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Cover image

In the Magazine

March/April 2010, 2, 89
Essay
After Iran Gets the Bomb
James M. Lindsay and Ray Takeyh

Despite international pressure, Iran appears to be continuing its march toward getting a nuclear bomb. But Washington can contain and mitigate the consequences of Tehran's nuclear defiance, keeping an abhorrent outcome from becoming a catastrophic one.
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