Rethinking The Pacific
A well-known British specialist on Asia pours cold water on the much touted idea of a Pacific Community. He shows that the Pacific has never been and shows no sign of becoming a coherent political entity and argues that the vital developments taking place there are best understood in a broader global context including the decline of the superpowers, the new paths of development in the Third World, and growing interdependence in the global economy. While it paints a broad picture, the book does not really add any new or challenging insights to newly emerging dilemmas, such as the increasingly troubled U.S.-Japan relationship, which is covered in 12 pages.
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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.
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.
Despite recently signing the long-awaited trade deal with the United States, Vietnam's communist leadership is split by uncertainty about the country's economic and political future. Without an economic overhaul soon, Vietnam risks being relegated to the global dustbin. Officials, however, remain wary of too much international engagement and know that capitalism would destroy the one-party state. Change in Vietnam is inevitable. But it will occur through an evolution, not a revolution.

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