The International Politics of Asia-Pacific, 1945-1995 - Softcover

This fully updated and revised edition of Michael Yahuda's extremely successful textbook introduces students to the international politics of the Asia Pacific region since 1945. Divided into three parts, the first presents a chronological overview of developments since 1945, the new second part looks at the post-cold war period, while the third focuses on the policies of the US, the USSR/Russia, China and Japan in the region. Yahuda analyses politics in terms of global, regional, and local trends, combining narrative with analysis. This new edition features:
* analysis of the economic crisis and the potential implications worldwide of East Asian economic recovery
* a chapter on the emergence of East Asia as a significant force in world affairs, focusing on the role of lesser powers such as Indonesia and Malaysia
* chapters considering prospects post-2000 and competing frameworks for security in the wake of nuclear tension between India and Pakistan
* the strengths and weaknesses of US hegemony in the new world order.

In this much-needed and clearly-written new textbook, Michael Yahuda analyses the complex development of international politics in the region from 1945-1995, focusing on the influences that have shaped its political geography. Examining the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, against the background of the Cold War, he highlights how superpower relations were reflected in local struggles and shows the interplay between international, regional and local politics, charting the changing alignments of the major powers and the local political consequences. The study concludes with an assessment of the post Cold War uncertainties that have eroded Asia-Pacific self confidence, such as the possible threat from China and doubts about the United States' desire to continue its stabilizing role, in an area in which it has proved difficult to establish a basis for regional order.