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1
Q

What is the difference between “Asia,” “East Asia,” “Southeast Asia,” “Far East,” “Asia-Pacific,” and “Indo-Pacific”?

A

These are different geographical and political labels used to describe overlapping but distinct regional groupings in Asia.

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2
Q

What is the essentialist view of regional boundaries?

A

Regions are formed by objective, unchangeable characteristics or power distributions (rationalist, positivist view).

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3
Q

What is the constructivist view of regional boundaries?

A

Regions are socially constructed, shaped by ideas, identities, and policies.

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4
Q

How did Waltz explain the stability of East Asia during the Cold War?

A

Through power politics: the Cold War system discouraged regional cooperation.

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5
Q

How did Katzenstein explain regional formation?

A

Through identity: the U.S. saw Europe as similar and Asia as different, shaping regional policies.

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6
Q

What is the difference between regionalism and regionalization?

A

Regionalism is a normative political program; regionalization is a spontaneous increase in cross-border ties.

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7
Q

What are key characteristics of Asia?

hint: 5 things

A

Cultural, political, and religious diversity;

collectivist societies;
security dilemmas;
strong state role;
“ASEAN Way” multilateralism.

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8
Q

Why is there no strong Asian IR theory (IRT)?

A

Possible reasons: Western IRT dominance, hidden local theories, discrimination against Asian IRT, or Asia catching up.

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9
Q

What is the “fourth great debate” in IR about?

A

The debate between rationalist and non-rationalist approaches, including culture and identity.

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10
Q

What is the core of Chinese political thought?

A

A blend of Confucianism, tributary systems, and later, Marxism/Maoism.

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11
Q

What is the “Tianxia” trope in Chinese thought?

A

A worldview of harmony and universalism with China at the center, in contrast to the Westphalian system.

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12
Q

How did Deng redefine Marxism in China?

A

Shifted focus from class struggle to resolving material and cultural needs through economic growth.

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13
Q

What are key influences on Japanese political thought?

A

Zen Buddhism, Shinto, Confucianism, Marxism, and later Western thought.

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14
Q

What is Nihon(jin)ron?

hint: Japan post WWII

A

Post-WWII Japanese cultural identity discourse emphasizing racial homogeneity, uniqueness, and resistance to non-Japanese analysis.

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15
Q

Who designed Japan’s ‘sovereignty’ and ‘interest’ lines in Meiji Japan, and who were seen as potential enemies?

A

Yamagata Aritomo; Russia, US, and France were potential enemies.

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16
Q

What was the Konoe consensus and its justification for invading China?

A

Anti-West stance; to secure international justice, defend against communism, and create a new culture

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17
Q

What characterized wartime Japan’s approach to war?

A

Hierarchy over anarchy, spirit over material, no prisoners, complete loyalty.

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18
Q

What does Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution state?

A

Japan renounces war and use of force; no maintenance of military forces; no recognition of belligerency.

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19
Q

What are the key post-WWII military principles of Japan?

A

No troop dispatch, non-nuclear, no weapons export, no offensive military.

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20
Q

What political and economic system defined Japan until the 1991 bubble crisis?

A

The “iron triangle” — LDP, bureaucracy, and zaikai (business).

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21
Q

What did the 1992 PKO law enable?

A

Participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

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22
Q

What was significant about the 1997 New Security Guidelines?

hint: Japan

A

Made the US-Japan alliance more complex and regional, expanding SDF operations.

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23
Q

What did the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law allow Japan to do?

A

SDF operations in noncombat zones, support US forces, transport weapons, and provide medical aid.

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24
Q

What laws did Japan pass in 2003 regarding military emergencies and Iraq?

A

Military Emergency Law and Law on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance (LCSMHRA).

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25
What was the Abe Doctrine’s main agenda?
Revising the Yoshida doctrine, historical revisionism, constitutional change, collective self-defense, strengthening the US alliance.
26
What was Abe’s 2013/14 secrecy law about?
Intelligence sharing with the US.
27
What did Japan’s collective self-defense shift under Abe include?
Defense of allies, expanded logistics support, rescuing Japanese nationals abroad.
28
What were Yoshihide Suga’s main priorities after Abe stepped down? | 4 things
Pandemic management, administrative reforms, social issues, Olympics.
29
What characterizes Fumio Kishida’s leadership? | tip: starts with C
Centrist, consensus builder, “new capitalism” agenda, tough on China, climate pledges.
30
What are key features of Japan’s 2022/23 security revisions?
Update of NSS, NDPG, MTDP; 2% GDP defense budget by 2027; counterstrike capabilities; explicit identification of Russia, climate change as threats.
31
What was South Korea’s political and economic trajectory up to the 2000s?
Military dictatorship until 1979 (Park Chung-hee), democratization in the 1980s, rise as an economic tiger, US ally.
32
What was South Korea’s “Sunshine diplomacy” era?
2003–2008 period of engagement toward North Korea.
33
What happened to the Communist Youth League faction at the 2022 Party Congress?
It was rooted out; Hu Jintao was even taken off stage.
34
Who is Li Qiang, and what role does he have?
Xi’s close ally, former Shanghai CCP head, now premier and number two in the PSC.
35
What is the role of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC)?
It’s the highest governing body in China, elected by the Central Committee.
36
What major shift happened in 2018 under Xi Jinping?
Power moved from the state to the Party; two-term limit was removed.
37
What is the role of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)?
The “armed wing” of the Communist Party, with 2.25 million members.
38
What were major disasters in Mao’s China?
The Great Leap Forward (1958) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–76).
39
What did Deng Xiaoping introduce after 1978?
Open market socialism and collective leadership.
40
What is China’s approach to international disputes?
Preference for bilateralism, regional consultation, distaste for court settlements.
41
What are China’s main priority regions?
Taiwan, Hong Kong, South China Sea, and East China Sea.
42
What is the “New Security Concept”? | hint: a shift
A shift from bipolar diplomacy to a multipolar, cooperative approach.
43
What is “one country, two systems”?
Deng Xiaoping’s formula allowing Hong Kong to maintain its own system for 50 years.
44
What triggered the Umbrella Movement in 2014?
Beijing’s approval of election candidates (831 resolution).
45
What is the 1992 Consensus? | about China
Agreement that both sides see “one China” but differ on what it means (PRC vs. ROC).
46
What was Taiwan’s response to Xi’s 2019 “one country, two systems” offer?
President Tsai Ing-wen and the DPP rejected it, claiming Taiwan is already independent.
47
What is the demographic and political situation in Xinjiang?
51% Uyghur population; economic disparity; crackdown on separatism, terrorism, extremism.
48
What happened in Xinjiang after 2014?
Increased policing, crackdown, and internment camps, labeled “completely correct” by Xi in 2020.
49
What are key principles of ASEAN diplomacy?
Summit diplomacy, consensus (musyawarah), hidden diplomacy, ad hoc practices.
50
What is ASEAN’s stance on non-interference?
No criticism of domestic policies or human rights, no support for insurgencies, political support for regimes.
51
Why is the world afraid of North Korea’s nuclear program?
Unpredictability of Kim; risk of weapons or tech transfer; potential for regular war; bad global example; creates a security dilemma.
52
What is Songbun in North Korea?
Ascribed social status system dividing people into high-ranking, middle, and hostile classes.
53
How can someone change their Songbun status?
Go up via photos/talks with leaders or buying class; go down via conviction, political apathy, or marriage to lower class.
54
What role do jangmadang markets play?
Provide most of people’s income amid creeping liberalization, though wages remain very low.
55
What is Juche ideology?
“Our version of socialism” emphasizing independence (jaju), self-defense (jawi), and national economy (jarip), combining Confucian and Stalinist elements.
56
What is Songun policy?
“Military first” policy introduced in 1997.
57
How did the Cold War affect North Korea?
Allied with the Soviets; collapse of multipolarity dismantled its safety.
58
What event triggered North Korea’s withdrawal from the NPT in 1993?
First nuclear crisis, separation of fuel rods.
59
When did North Korea start its WMD program?
In the 1960s with Soviet help.
60
What was the 1994 Agreed Framework? | about North Korea
North Korea agreed to freeze Yongbyon, abandon reactors, in exchange for U.S. aid (LWR, coal).
61
What happened after Bush’s 2002 “axis of evil” speech?
DPRK withdrew from the NPT (2003), announced nuclear weapons (2005), tested weapons (2006).
62
What were the Six Party Talks, and what deals were reached? | first in 2005, then in 2007
Multilateral talks; in 2005, DPRK agreed to denuclearize for aid; in 2007, destroyed Yongbyon cooling tower for aid and removal from the “rogue state” list.
63
Why did the Six Party Talks collapse?
North Korean nuclear tests in 2006, 2009, and 2013.
64
What are some proposed solutions to North Korea’s nuclear challenge?
Unilateral denuclearization, coercive diplomacy, strategic patience, targeted strikes, multilateral diplomacy.
65
What are the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands?
Five uninhabited islands and three rocks, controlled by China since the 14th century, annexed by Japan in 1895.
66
What happened to the islands after WWII? | regarding the China-Japan island dispute
Under U.S. administration until 1971; returned to Japan in 1972 via the Okinawa Reversion Treaty.
67
What is Japan’s position on Senkaku?
Viewed as terra nullius, included with Ryukyus, no Chinese protest until 1971.
68
What is China’s position on Senkaku?
Part of China since the 14th century, not terra nullius; included as part of Formosa.
69
What did the 1928 Las Palmas case decide?
Continuous and public sovereignty trumps discovery.
70
What did the 1931 Clipperton Island Arbitration establish?
Uninhabited islands do not require effective control.
71
What is the status of the Kuril Islands?
Annexed by Japan in 1905, taken by Soviets after WWII; Japan’s claim relinquished in the San Francisco Treaty but Soviet rule not accepted.
72
Why is the South China Sea important? | natural resources
Holds ~130 billion barrels of oil, ~900 trillion cubic feet of gas, and rich fishing grounds.
73
What is China’s Nine-Dash Line?
A boundary claim over almost all of the South China Sea, first mentioned in 1914.
74
What are Vietnam’s claims? | regarding islands Paracels and Spratlys
Based on Nguyen dynasty claims since the 16th century, reinforced after 1975 with a 200 nm EEZ.
75
What is the Philippines’ claim? | regarding islands paracels and spratlys
Based on res nullius and geography since 1947, incorporating Kalayaan and Palawan in 1972.
76
What were two major SCS conflicts?
China’s seizure of Paracels (1974) and 2012 Scarborough Shoal skirmish with the Philippines.
77
What did the Arbitration Court (PCA) rule in favor of the Philippines?
China has no historical right based on the Nine-Dash Line.
78
What has China built in the Spratly Islands?
Bases on seven reefs, officially for research, safety, and rescue, but also military.
79
What is the “Maritime Silk Road”?
A maritime network linking China’s coast to Europe and the South Pacific through the SCS.
80
What are possible ways to manage SCS disputes? | five things
Joint programs without sovereignty assessment, mediation, arbitration, UNCLOS cooperation, regional organizations.
81
What is the Realist perspective on China’s rise?
China will seek regional hegemony; war may be used to accelerate this; other Asian states will balance against it (Mearsheimer's "China threat" theory).
82
What do Neoliberals believe about China's rise?
Economic interdependence and capitalism will entangle China and bring about political transformation.
83
What is the Constructivist interpretation of China’s rise?
China, as a civilization, will adapt to global norms rather than overturn them—but will also diffuse its own values into the system.
84
How has China’s military changed?
Rapid increase in spending (though not GDP-related); largest army (PLA) under party control; expanding technology (drones, ICBMs).
85
How do Chinese thinkers like Yan (2001) view China’s rise?
As a natural, historical restoration of fairness, not expansionism. Rise is long-term, strategic, and peaceful.
86
Why do Chinese citizens not accept the “China threat” thesis?
They see it as US hostility; they don't want to replace the US but want respect for sovereignty and reduced interference.
87
What role does Confucianism play in China’s vision of power?
Emphasizes benevolence (ren), soft power, and civilization over power politics.
88
How do many Americans view China’s rise?
As a potential threat to vital interests, yet few support military containment; most prefer cooperation with China.
89
What early treaties and actions marked the U.S. entry into Asia?
Treaty of Wangxia (1844) with China; Perry's arrival in Japan (1853); annexation of Hawaii and Philippines post-1898.
90
What was the 1899 Open Door Policy?
U.S. advocated for equal trade access in China while paradoxically restricting Chinese immigration at home.
91
What was the post-WWII US strategy in Asia?
Containment via Spykman’s Rimland theory and Kennan’s Long Telegram; hub-and-spoke bilateral alliances.
92
When did the U.S. announce its pivot to Asia?
In 2011 through Hillary Clinton's Foreign Policy article and Obama’s speech in Australia.
93
What were the five key aims of the Pivot to Asia?
Strengthen alliances, deepen ties with emerging powers, constructive relations with China, empower regional institutions, and sustain economic strength.
94
What steps did the U.S. take diplomatically in the pivot?
Sent troops to Darwin, built alliances, joined EAS, partnered with ASEAN, and backed ASEAN on the SCS.
95
How did the U.S. engage with emerging powers during the pivot?
Strategic partnerships with Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, etc.
96
What was the goal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
Unite 800M people and 40% of world trade; set high economic and environmental standards.
97
What were China’s alternative projects to the TPP?
RCEP, AIIB, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
98
What were the military goals of the pivot?
Deploy 60% of US naval forces in Asia, expand THAAD, and counter China in the South China Sea.
99
What is "offshore balancing"?
A strategy proposing U.S. support for allies without large military deployments.
100
What was Trump’s approach to the pivot?
Rejected TPP and APEC, promoted "military first" diplomacy, and embraced Indo-Pacific terminology.
101
How did Biden re-engage with Asia?
Appointed an Asia "tsar", revived alliances, supported ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, and promoted multilateralism.
102
What is Biden's three-pronged strategy toward China? | hint: 3 Cs
Competition (economics), confrontation (human rights), and cooperation (climate).
103
What is China’s view of the US pivot? | prompting China to do what?
A strategy of containment, prompting China to focus on self-sufficiency, regional ties, and a multilateral response.
104
How does China view its own rise (Yan 2001)?
As natural, fair, long-term, peaceful, and beneficial for civilization.
105
What is the US-China dynamic after the Ukraine invasion?
China remains the primary concern; US seeks global coalition; China feels perpetually contained.
106
What characterizes a potential Trump 2.0 policy on China? | and China's response
Continued containment via tariffs and alliances; China responds through WTO, quiet diplomacy, and global partnerships.
107
What was the average maternity rate in Asia in 1965, and what has it led to?
5.5 births per woman; has since declined, indicating a demographic transition.
108
What is the demographic bonus?
Economic benefit arising when a large portion of the population is of working age due to declining birth and death rates.
109
How is urbanization shaping Asia’s future?
Rapid urban growth (e.g., China expected to be 75% urban by 2050), transforming economies and societies.
110
What was the one-child policy’s impact in China?
Prevented 400 million births, reduced poverty, but created a gender gap and led to social planning issues.
111
What demographic crisis is Japan facing?
Shrinking population (-300,000 in 2017), projected extinction by 2250.
112
What demographic policies did India implement?
Forced sterilizations and even sterilization lotteries.
113
What does Bloom–Finlay (2010) say about Asia’s fertility rates?
Low fertility will become the norm across the region.
114
What do Komino–Kabe (2009) predict about economic growth?
Japan may stop growing by 2040; China, SK, and Thailand will slow down after 2025; India and Indonesia will grow until at least 2060.
115
What societal effects may follow demographic shifts?
Changes in voting patterns, strain on social systems, increased aging populations.
116
What are hikikomori and goukon in Japan?
Hikikomori: social withdrawal; Goukon: group blind dates – both linked to declining intimacy and population issues.
117
What is karoshi? | hint: Japan social issue
Death by overwork, a serious social issue in Japan.
118
How is food security a concern in Asia?
⅔ of the world’s starving population lives in Asia; challenges include urbanization, slums, and diet shifts.
119
What contributes to food crises in the region?
Climate change, agricultural decline, and volatile crop prices (like rice).
120
Which country is the world’s largest CO₂ emitter and what are the effects?
China; CO₂ emissions cost 2% of GDP and reduce agricultural output by 5–10% yearly.
121
What causes frequent haze in Indonesia?
Burning of rainforests for agriculture and land clearing.
122
What are major environmental challenges in Asia beyond pollution?
Desertification, deforestation, water scarcity, and displacement due to mega-projects (e.g., Three Gorges Dam, Great Green Wall).

Asia Security (2 decks)

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