Economic interdependence and the formation of a security community in the Asia-Pacific region

Ming Zhang, Purdue University

Abstract

This research explores the potential for the development of a security community consisting of China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region. In Chapter 1, we explore the field of security communities. In order to study the possibility of a security community concerning the four major powers, we suggest a hypothetical relationship between economic interdependence and the cohesion of a security community. In Chapter 2, we examine economic interdependence between the four powers via international trade. The findings indicate that economic interdependence unevenly developed among the four parties and tended to increase in general after 1979. In Chapter 3, we analyze elite attitudes towards the formation of the security community by the four powers. The results confirm that economic interdependence associated with the attitudinal change. Between 1979 and 1992 the leaders of the four powers gradually improved their perceptions of each other and became more committed to the security community. In Chapter 4, we find that the four powers gradually and generally improved their behaviors from confrontation to cooperation. The enhanced behavioral cohesion was related with the improved economic interdependence and attitudes towards the security community. In the conclusion, we draw implications and suggestions based upon the empirical studies.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Stohl, Purdue University.

Subject Area

International law|International relations

COinS