Zhiqun Zhu (2012) New Dynamics in East Asian Politics: Security,
Political Economy and Society. London: Continuum. 337pp, £19.99 (p/b), ISBN
978 1 4411 6621 0
This wide ranging
book works well as an introduction to studying the contemporary politics of
East Asia. Focused on China, Japan, Taiwan and the two Koreas, the book’s interdisciplinary
approach leads it to being neatly divided into three sections covering security
and foreign policy, new political economy, and changing societies. As Zhu
explains in the introduction, the aim of the book is to avoid a traditional
approach of writing about government, institutions and processes. This is born
out in the largely well-written and researched chapters which cover a wealth of
topics including the media, gender, national identity and nationalism, student
politics, the film industry, local politics, the changing nature of anti-Americanism,
environmental issues, security and foreign policy, welfare, and political
economy. Throughout the book the coverage ranges from the international and
wider-regional perspective through to the national and local. The chapters use
a range of theoretical approaches and research models. Each chapter draws on a
good selection of sources, with the end of each chapter including further
readings and useful questions for on-going discussion.
The book faces four
problems, all of which it largely overcomes. First, tying together such a wide range
of topics was never going to be easy. But the book manages this by allowing the
reader an insight into how this area of the world is coping with globalisation,
changes in technology, shifts in power, and the political expectations and
outlooks of the peoples of the region. Second, it provides a balanced approach
in its coverage of the five states, although clearly due to its size China
receives the most attention. The USA is ever-present, understandable given its
role as a major East Asian power. However, its use as the main point of
reference when making comparisons meant other areas of the world such as South
East Asia, Europe or the Middle East received few mentions. Third, the book
successfully resists the temptation to focus solely on international relations
and security, instead drawing out the incredible economic and social
transformations. But it provides a good analysis of the military and political tensions
that could undermine these transformations, but which are also being driven by
them in part. Finally, the book’s aim to discuss contemporary developments
means some chapters will date very quickly, although the overall analysis of
the book will remain of interest for many years.
