Asian Politics

• Asian politics encompass a wide range of issues, including economic developments, trade agreements, security concerns, and diplomatic relations within the region
• Recent news highlights various aspects of Asian politics, such as India signing a significant free trade deal, Japan's economic growth, Hong Kong proposing a new security bill, and China's military spending increase
• These events reflect the dynamic nature of politics in Asia, with countries like China, Japan, India, and Indonesia playing key roles in shaping regional dynamics
• The coverage from sources like Bloomberg, CNBC, Nikkei Asia, and Wiley Online Library provides insights into the political landscape of Asia, covering topics like trade, security, economic policies, and international relations
• If China were to dominate Asian politics

  • It could significantly impact the region's dynamics
  • China's increasing assertiveness could lead to a more divisive international system, especially in areas like development finance, human rights, and internet governance
  • China's dominance may polarize collaboration in global governance, potentially leading to a divided world with differing norms and standards
  • China's actions, such as passing legislation to suppress dissent in Hong Kong and promoting authoritarian norms, could further exacerbate tensions and challenge existing international frameworks
  • If China were to set standards for internet governance, it might influence other countries to adopt similar practices, potentially leading to a divided internet landscape
  • China's dominance in Asian politics could reshape regional and global power dynamics, influencing governance, security, and international relations in significant ways
• India's role in Asian politics

  • India is increasingly becoming a significant player in the region
  • India's strategic outreach and engagement with Southeast Asian countries aim to counterbalance China's dominance
  • India's policies, such as the "Look East" and "Act East" policies, demonstrate a proactive approach to strengthening partnerships in Southeast Asia
  • India's efforts include enhancing defense cooperation, signing trade deals, and participating in military exercises in the region
  • These actions aim to bolster India's influence, contribute to regional stability, and provide an alternative to China's growing power
  • India's role in Asian politics is characterized by its strategic maneuvers, economic engagements, and efforts to shape a more multipolar order in the region
• If East and Southeast Asia were to unite


  • It could lead to a significant shift in regional dynamics and cooperation
  • The combination of these regions, which are home to diverse cultures, economies, and political systems, could create a powerful bloc with substantial economic and geopolitical influence
  • Uniting East and Southeast Asia could enhance regional integration, promote economic growth, and strengthen collective security mechanisms
  • This unity might lead to increased trade, investment, and infrastructure development, benefiting both regions
  • A unified East and Southeast Asia could potentially counterbalance the influence of other global powers and contribute to shaping international norms and policies
  • Challenges such as differing political ideologies, historical tensions, and territorial disputes would need to be addressed to achieve a successful and sustainable union between East and Southeast Asia
• Pivot to Asia or the Pivot to the Pacific


  The strategic rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific region during Obama's administration, aimed at increasing U.S. influence in the region by focusing on shaping the norms and rules
• The pivot was a response to the rise of China as a major power and aimed to counterbalance its influence in the region
• This strategic shift reflected a recognition of the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region in global affairs and the need for the U.S. to play a more active role in shaping its future
• The role and response of the UN Security Council to the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea involving China

  • The Philippines has urged the UN to support a peaceful resolution of the dispute, emphasizing the importance of upholding national sovereignty and international law
  • The UN Security Council plays a vital role in addressing such disputes by promoting dialogue, upholding international law, and ensuring stability in the region
  • The involvement of the UN Security Council can help facilitate diplomatic efforts, encourage peaceful negotiations, and prevent further escalation of conflicts in the West Philippine Sea
• The role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the West Philippine Sea and China

  • UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of surrounding waters, including maritime entitlements, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and continental shelves
  • UNCLOS has been instrumental in addressing the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, by defining maritime entitlements and clarifying the legal basis for claims
  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines against China in a case brought under UNCLOS, emphasizing that China's claims based on the "nine-dash line" had no legal basis and that its island-building activities violated international law
  • UNCLOS has been a crucial tool in promoting peaceful resolution of disputes, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea
• Asia is the largest of the seven continents on Earth in terms of both land and population
• The five regional divisions of Asia

  • East Asia
  • South-East Asia
  • South Asia
  • South-West Asia
  • Central Asia
• Western Asian Countries/ Middle East Countries

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Cyprus
  • Georgia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • State of Palestine
  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Yemen
• Central Asian Countries

  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
• Eastern Asian Countries

  • China
  • China, Hong Kong SAR
  • China, Macao SAR
  • Japan
  • North Korea
  • South Korea
  • Mongolia
  • Taiwan
• Southern Asian Countries

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Maldives
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
• Southeast Asian Countries

  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar(Burma)
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Timor-Leste (East Timor)
  • Vietnam
• Regionalism


  The process of countries coming together within a specific geographic region to address common issues or pursue shared objectives
• Purpose of Regionalism

  • To enhance political power, influence, and self-determination within specific geographic regions
  • Regionalism focuses on developing political or social systems based on the interests of one or more regions, aiming to strengthen the consciousness and loyalty to a distinct region
  • It involves movements seeking territorial autonomy within unitary states, organizing central states on a regional basis for policy delivery, and advocating for regional development, political decentralization, and autonomy
  • Regionalism aims to address challenges such as urban sprawl, housing inequities, and inefficient resource management by fostering cooperation, improving fiscal responsibility, promoting regional development, and enhancing competitiveness among regions
  • Through regionalism, local populations can benefit from better governance, resource allocation, and implementation of local policies, ultimately contributing to the overall development of the region and the country as a whole
• Advantages of Regionalism

  • Local Development
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Resource Allocation
• Disadvantages of Regionalism

  • Economic and Social Inequality
  • Fragmentation
  • Inconsistent Policies
• Borders in Regionalism

  • In old regionalism, the border was often viewed as a separation, emphasizing the division between regions
  • In new regionalism, the border is seen as a filter, highlighting its role in facilitating interactions and flows between regions
• Regionalism

  Allows regions to prioritize investments based on their economic strengths and challenges, leading to better resource allocation
• Disadvantages of Regionalism

  • Economic and Social Inequality
  • Fragmentation
  • Inconsistent Policies
• Border (in old regionalism)

  Viewed as a separation, emphasizing the division between regions
• Border (in new regionalism)

  Viewed as a filter, highlighting its role in facilitating interactions and flows between regions
• The understanding of borders within regionalism is crucial as they shape regional dynamics, influence policies, and impact the relationships between states and regions
• The evolving notions of borders in regionalism reflect changing approaches to integration, cooperation, and governance within and across regions
• Challenges faced by landlocked countries

  • Increased transportation costs
  • Reliance on transit countries for trade access
  • Limited export opportunities
  • Slower economic growth
• Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are particularly affected by these constraints, leading to higher trade costs, delays in goods movement, and susceptibility to political and economic instability in transit countries
• Pros of landlocked countries

  • Security
  • Safety from harsh weather
  • No need for navy
  • Easier border monitoring
• Cons of landlocked countries

  • Trade challenges
  • Higher transportation costs
  • Limited access to ports
  • Dependence on neighbors
• The Treaty of Westphalia, signed in 1648, marked the end of the Thirty Years' War and established the principles of state sovereignty and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, laying the foundation for the modern state system
• The concept of Westphalian sovereignty, where each state has exclusive sovereignty over its territory, has influenced the development of the modern international system of sovereign states
• European Union (EU)

  A supranational political and economic union of 27 member states primarily located in Europe, founded to promote peace, stability, and economic cooperation among European countries
• The Treaty of Paris was drafted to establish the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) among France, Italy, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

  1951
• The Treaty of Paris marked the first step towards European integration, aiming to foster reconciliation between France and West Germany and contribute to postwar peace in Europe
• The Maastricht Treaty was signed, establishing the European Union (EU) and introducing significant changes, including the creation of a common foreign and security policy, enhanced cooperation in home affairs and justice, and the introduction of EU citizenship


  1993