After examining the global system's political volatility at the dawn of the new millenium, the book looks at how some of the identifiable system-wide trends (e.g., globalization, democratization, fragmentation, etc.) may find repercussions in the Asia Pacific. The book also addresses the question of 'comprehensive security', in comparison with other regions, in a wide range of areas subsuming economic security (geoeconomics), environmental security (ecopolitics), and human security. In addition, the book recognizes the idiosyncrasies of the region, such as the defensiveness of most Asian governments toward the protection of their financial markets against external forces following the regional financial crisis of the late 1990s.

Autorentext
JAMES C. HSIUNG, Ph.D., Columbia University, is Professor of Politics and International Law at New York University. During 1997-1999, he was visiting Chair Professor and Head, Department of Politics-Sociology, Lingnan University, Hong Kong. He is author and editor of sixteen well-received books as well as numerous articles and book chapters. His most recent works are: Asia Pacific in the New World Politics (1993); Anarchy & Order: The Interplay of Politics and Law in International Relations (1997); and Hong Kong the Super Paradox (2000). His current research interest is in world order in the age of globalization.

Inhalt
PART ONE: THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE The World Order of the New Century: Prospects and Perils; J.C Hsiung Globalization and Asia: An Opportunity or a Trap?; A.So PART TWO: THE REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE Asia Pacific: The Challenges in the New Era; J.C.Hsiung Can Asia Pacific Escape the Impact of Globalization?; S.Chan PART THREE: INTER-REGIONAL AND INTRA-REGIONAL RELATIONS Europe and the Asia Pacific: Two Regions in Search of a Relationship; B.Bridges Comparing Regional Integration in Non-Identical Twins: the APEC and the FTAA; R.Feinberg Region Without a Cause? ASEAN and Southeast Asia's Systemic Challenges; G.Felker PART FOUR: COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY American Views of Asia-Pacific Security: Comprehensive or Military; D.Bobrow Reinvigorating Japan's Comprehensive Security; S.Sudo Chinese Perspective of Comprehensive National Security; R.Hu PART FIVE: ASIA PACIFIC'S NEWLY EMERGING PROBLEMS The Impact of Globalization on Threat Perception: New Sources of Insecurity in Southeast Asia; M.Nathan A Post-Crisis Agenda: Savings Instruments, Bubbles, and the Financial Crises; L.S.Ho PART SIX: CONCLUSIONS Asia Pacific in the New World Order: Findings and Projections; J.C.Hsiung