2007 Handbooks

This unit investigates development of Pacific Basin countries with the focus on how political and economic sovereignty is defined by world systemic change such as the Pacific War, the end of colonial rule, the Cold War, and globalisation. The unit employs a political economic schema to explain the origins of the region's identity, in particular how European colonial dominance created a 'western' political economic order throughout the region. The unit focuses on those countries referred to as "Tigers, Dragons and Little Tigers". Their 1990s 'Miracle Growth' heralded the dawn of a 'Pacific Century' where the world balance of political and economic power was seen drifting towards the Asia Pacific. A challenge to this scenario has, however, arisen as a result of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the December 2004 Tsunami, the spread of fundamentalist militancy and the competing political and economic influence of China, India, Japan and the United States. The unit employs a case study group to assess the character of this challenge and predict future regional dynamics.