31829 - International Relations of East Asia

Course contents

Northeast Asia, as defined to include China, Japan, Taiwan, North and South Korea, undoubtedly constitutes one of the largest economic zones in the world in terms of population, natural resources, and potential market size, as well as its vast trade and investment opportunities. It has been and still is one of the most dynamic areas of the world economy, mainly owing to the phenomenal economic growth of the region's market economies, and, more recently, also that of China. Despite the noteworthy economic achievements, this region remains somewhat unstable from the political point of view: the territorial division and continuing stalemate between North and South Korea, Japanese-Soviet territorial disputes, tense PRC-Taiwan relations, without mentioning the pivotal and much debated role played by the United States.

The main objective of this course is to shed light on the relevant features of the relationships among the main regional actors, and between them and the United States. In this regard, the main focus of the course will be considering the sources of tension among actors and understanding to what extent these tensions could undermine the pacific coexistence in the region. Therefore, in order to understand the actual situation of the region, particular attention will be given to the historical framework since the Japanese defeat in WWII. Particular attention will be reserved to the actual situation of the Korean peninsula as, on one hand, “battlefield” – by looking carefully at the nature of the relation sbetween China and the DPRK and between the USA and the ROK – and, on the other hand, as diplomatic terrain through the implementation of the Sunshine Policy and the establishment of the six-party talks.

Readings/Bibliography

Students attending classes should know in detail the following book:
M. Yahuda, The International Politics of the Asia Pacific: Since 1945, Routledge, 2011 (si faccia riferimento solo a questa versione).

suggested readings:
A. Acharya and B. Buzan (eds.), Non-western IR Theory: Perspectives On and Beyond Asia, Routledge, 2009.
A. Fiori, L'Asia Orientale. Dal 1945 ai giorni nostri, Il Mulino, 2010.
D. Kang and V. Cha, Nuclear North Korea: A Debate on Engagement Strategies, Columbia, 2003.

Many other readings will be suggested during classes.

Those who decide not to attend classes will have to contact the professor directly in order to define an individual study program.

Teaching methods

At the beginning, the professor will introduce the historical background; soon after that, students will be required to participate actively: readings will be presented and discussed with the rest of the class. Students will be often asked to work in group.

Assessment methods

Final oral test. Active participation, careful and continuous reading of documents, and an active involvment in the simulation in order to understand the mechanisms of the situation presented will be taken into account.

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Fiori