East Asia Summit: Steps toward Community to Prevent Great Power Hegemony and Implications for U.S. Policy
Abstract
There is a growing sense of community in East Asia. This represents a reaction to a history of great power domination, increasing globalization, and economic integration. With its vast market potential and production capacity, China has made decisions favoring market-driven liberalization while it emerges as a growing economic and political power. Suspicions are naturally raised regarding its ultimate intentions -- partnership in the global community or regional hegemony. The United States has not been actively engaged in the significant changes taking place in East Asia, relying instead on bilateral security arrangements while pursuing more immediate interests in the war on terror. Facing the growing influence of China and India, political leaders within East Asia have cautiously developed various multilateral forums for responding to regional issues. The ASEAN-led East Asia Summit of December 2005 was an overt first step toward the notion of an East Asian Community led by small powers. While a true regional community similar to the European Community remains somewhat distant and uncertain, the United States must become more involved in regional diplomacy or risk losing influence there. Meanwhile, contemporary changes in East Asia appear to make realization of an East Asian Community a distinct possibility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448769
Entities
People
- Scott T. Peterson
Organizations
- United States Army War College