Northeast Asian Politics: Security and Cooperation RPOS 204 (9194) Spring 2009 Mon-Wed-Fri 10:25 AM 11:20 AM ES 0241 Anna Lopatina E-mail: al295546@albany.edu Office hours: Uptown, HU 16, Wed 12:00 2:00 AM or by appointment Course Description The course is designed to acquaint students with the foreign policies of the nations in Northeast Asia: China, Japan, Russia, and the two Koreas. The class will explore national security strategies and foreign economic relations of these countries within the changing context of international environment shaped by the end of the Cold War, globalization, and the war on terror. Particular attention will be paid to the security issues around the Korean peninsula and Taiwan and to the role of the United States in the region. The overview of regional interrelationships will enable students to assess the functionality and the perspectives of regional institutions, such as ASEAN and APEC. The class will apply three theoretical frameworks, such as realism, liberalism and constructivism to look at political, economic and social developments in Northeast Asia. Students will assess the rising power of China employing the realist power transition theory and the liberal account of economic interdependence. We will identify the realist and the liberal perspectives of resolving security issues around the Korean peninsula and Taiwan. We will see how Japan adjusts and implements its foreign policy strategies under the changing balance of power and increased economic liberalization in the region. Additionally, the class will apply the constructivist theoretical framework to look at the Taiwanese identity within the context of accelerated economic integration with Mainland China. The course meets the General Education requirements for the category of Regions Beyond Europe. Students will acquire knowledge of political arrangements, institutions, economies, and societies of Northeast Asia. They will be able to analyze the developments in the region from the perspectives of its peoples. The class will pay attention to the historical and cultural context as well as learn distinctive geographical features of the states. Course Requirements The final grade will be based on: Class participation 15% In class midterm exam 20% In class final exam 20% Take-home assignment #1 20% Take-home assignment #2 25%
2 Consistent attendance, reading of the required material, and participation in discussions are essential for successful completion of the course. There will be in class midterm and final exams offering the choice between two questions. The questions will be handed out a week prior to the exams that would enable students to come well prepared for writing an essay in class. Two takehome assignments will require students to write a 5-6 page essay answering one of the two questions. The response must be typewritten, double-spaced, and in 12-point font. The argument should be supported by evidence from the assigned readings and the notes taken from class. Students must provide appropriate references to the sources. Students must meet the standards of academic integrity. For comprehensive information visit the website: http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html Readings: Kim, S. S. (Ed.). (2004). The international relations of Northeast Asia. Lanham, Md.; Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Kim, B.-K., & Jones, A. (2007). Power and security in Northeast Asia: shifting strategies. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers. Course pack All the readings are available at Mary Jane Bookstore: 215 Western Avenue (at Quail Street, phone 518-465-2238. Course Outline Jan 21: Introduction Course syllabus Jan 23 - Jan 26 - Jan 28: The Past and the Present of Northeast Asia Kim, Chapter 1, pp. 3-64 Clements, K. P. (1997). North-East Asian regional security and the role of international institutions: An Australian perspective. In T. Inoguchi & G. B. Stillman (Eds.), North-east Asian regional security : the role of international institutions. Tokyo ; New York: United Nations University Press, pp. 13-21 Lincoln, E. J. (2004). East Asian economic regionalism. New York, Washington, D.C.: Council on Foreign Relations ; Brookings Institution Press, pp. 15-41 Keller, W. W., & Rawski, T. G. (2007). China's rise and the balance of influence in Asia. Pittsburgh, Pa.: University of Pittsburgh Press, pp. 3-13 Jan 30 Feb 2 - Feb 4: China: The Political and Security Dimensions Kim, Chapter 2, pp. 65-100
Goldstein, A., East-West Center Washington, & Sasakawa Heiwa Zaidan. (2005). Rising to the challenge : China's grand strategy and international security. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, pp. 14-48 3 Pei, M. (2007). China's hedged acquiescence: Coping with US Hegemony. In B.-K. Kim & A. Jones (Eds.), Power and security in Northeast Asia : shifting strategies. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 99-125 Goldstein, A., East-West Center Washington, & Sasakawa Heiwa Zaidan. (2005). Rising to the challenge : China's grand strategy and international security. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, pp. 136-176 Feb 6 Feb 9 Feb 11: China: Global and Regional Economic Integration Kim, Chapter 3, pp. 101-134 Garrett, B. (2001). China Faces, Debates, the Contradictions of Globalization. Asian Survey, 41(3), pp. 409-427 Pearson, M. M. (2006). China in Geneva. Lessons from China's early years in the World Trade Organization. In A. I. Johnston & R. S. Ross (Eds.), New directions in the study of China's foreign policy. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, pp. 242-275 Feb 13: The first take-home assignment will be handed out. Feb 13: Discussion: How does the literature assess China s transition to the largest world economy? Will China challenge regional and global status-quo policy? Why? Why not? Feb 16: NO CLASS Feb 18: NO CLASS Feb 20: NO CLASS The first take-home assignment is due on FEB 27. Feb 23 -Feb 25 - Feb 27: Contentious Issues: The Korean Peninsula: Nuclear Threats and Unification Kim, Chapter 8, pp. 251-279 Kim, Chapter 9, pp. 281-299 Kim, S. S. (2006). The two Koreas and the great powers. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 296-360 Cha, V. D. (2002). Assessing the North Korean threat: The logic of preemption, prevention, and engagement. In S. S. Kim & T. H. Lee (Eds.), North Korea and Northeast Asia. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, pp. 217-248. Mar 4: Midterm exam questions will be handed out. Mar 2 Mar 4 Mar 6: Contentious Issues: Taiwan Kim, Chapter 10, pp. 301-327
4 Swaine, M. D. (2001). Chinese decision-making regarding Taiwan, 1979-2000. In D. M. Lampton (Ed.), The making of Chinese foreign and security policy in the era of reform, 1978-2000. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, pp. 289-336 Chu, Y.-h. (2007). Taiwan's Politics of identity: Navigating between China and the United States. In B.-K. Kim & A. Jones (Eds.), Power and security in Northeast Asia : shifting strategies. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 225-252 Mar 9: Discussion: What are the realist and the liberal perspectives of resolving security issues of Korea and Taiwan? Mar 11: MIDTERM EXAM Mar 13 Mar 16: Russian Foreign Policy in Northeast Asia Kim, Chapter 6, pp. 201-224 Lukin, A. (2007). Russia's China card: Eyes on Washington. In B.-K. Kim & A. Jones (Eds.), Power and security in Northeast Asia : shifting strategies. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 167-194 Rozman, G. (2008). Strategic Thinking About the Russian Far East: A Resurgent Russia Eyes Its Future in Northeast Asia. Problems of Post-Communism, 55(1), pp. 36-48. Mar 18 Mar 20: US Foreign Policy in Northeast Asia Kim, Chapter 7, pp. 225-248 Pollack, J. D. (2007). US strategies in Northeast Asia: A revisionist hegemon. In B.-K. Kim & A. Jones (Eds.), Power and security in Northeast Asia : shifting strategies. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 55-95 Mar 23 - Mar 25 Mar 27: Japan: The Political and Security Dimensions Kim, Chapter 4, pp. 135-169 Yamamoto, Y. (2007). Japan's activism lite: Bandwagoning the Unites States. In B.-K. Kim & A. Jones (Eds.), Power and security in Northeast Asia : shifting strategies Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 127-165. Samuels, R. J. (2007). Securing Japan : Tokyo's grand strategy and the future of East Asia. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 185-209 Mar 30 - Apr 1- Apr 3: Japan: Foreign Economic Policy Kim, Chapter 5, pp. 171-199 Macintyre, A., & Naughton, B. (2005). The decline of a Japan-led model of the East Asian economy. In T. J. Pempel (Ed.), Remapping East Asia : the construction of a region. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 77-100 Krauss, E. S. (2003). The US, Japan, and trade liberalization: from bilateralism to regional multilateralism to regionalism+. Pacific Review, 16(3), pp. 307-329.
5 Bunker, S. G., & Ciccantell, P. S. (2007). East Asia and the global economy : Japan's ascent, with implications for China's future. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 188-218 Apr 6: Discussion: What is the role of the United States in shaping Japan s foreign security and economic policy? What are the main current shifts in Japan s foreign policy? Apr 8: NO CLASS Apr 10: NO CLASS Apr 13: NO CLASS Apr 15: The second take-home assignment will be handed out Apr 15- Apr 17 - Apr 20: East Asian cooperation: constraints and opportunities Munakata, N. (2006). Transforming East Asia : the evolution of regional economic integration. Tokyo, Washington, D.C.: Research Institute of Economy, pp. 8-36; 37-61 Solingen, E. (2005). East Asian regional institutions: Characteristics, sources, distinctiveness. In T. J. Pempel (Ed.), Remapping East Asia : the construction of a region. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 31-53 Webber, D. (2001). Two funerals and a wedding? The ups and downs of regionalism in East Asia and Asia-Pacific after the Asian crisis. The Pacific Review, 14(3), pp. 339-372. Beck, P. M., & Hanham, M. (2005). Northeast Asian economic multilateralism: Obstacles, opportunities, and implications for the Unites States. In C.-c. o. Pak & T. o. Y. o. g. o. (Korea) (Eds.), Infrastructure of regional cooperation in Northeast Asia : current status and tasks. Seoul: Korea Institute for National Unification, pp. 135-158 Apr 22: Discussion: What are the opportunities and the constraints for cooperation in Northeast Asia? The second take-home assignment is due on Apr 24. Apr 24- Apr 27 Apr 29 May 1: Future of Northeast Asia Kim, Chapter 11, pp. 331-362 Jaewoo, C. (2006). Energy Cooperation Problems in Northeast Asia: Unfolding the Reality. East Asia: An International Quarterly, 23(3), 91-106. Mcnicoll, G. (2005). Demographic future of East Asian Regional integration. In T. J. Pempel (Ed.), Remapping East Asia : the construction of a region. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 54-74 Lebel, L. (2005). Environmental change and transitions to sustainability in Pacific Asia. In S. Tay (Ed.), Pacific Asia 2022 : sketching futures of a region. Tokyo ; New York, Washington: Japan Center for International Exchange, pp. 107-143 Tay, S. (2005). Conclusions: Some scenarios for Pacific Asia. In S. Tay (Ed.), Pacific Asia 2022 : sketching futures of a region. Tokyo ; New York, Washington: Japan Center for International Exchange, pp. 225-241
6 May 4: Final exam questions will be handed out. May 4: Discussion: What are the major problems Northeast Asia is going to confront in the 21 st century? May 6: NO CLASS May 11: FINAL EXAM