Contested Asia's 'New' multilateralism and regional order

Multilateralism has become an increasingly significant part of Asia's international relations. This paper critiques the premise that there are two phases of regional multilateralism, pre- and post-global financial crisis and instead argues that there has been one long 25-year expansion phase. I...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPacific review Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 221 - 231
Main Author Bisley, Nick
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 04.03.2019
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
ASEAN
contested Asia
Economic crisis
Foreign policy
Globalization
International finance
International relations
Multilateralism
regional order
Values
Asia
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Summary:Multilateralism has become an increasingly significant part of Asia's international relations. This paper critiques the premise that there are two phases of regional multilateralism, pre- and post-global financial crisis and instead argues that there has been one long 25-year expansion phase. Initially, this was prompted by the risks and opportunities of globalization but was adapted as a strategy to manage a changing regional order. More recently, regional multilateralism has taken on competitive characteristics reflecting Asia's more contested dynamics. The US and its allies are trying to use multilateralism as part of their broader strategy to sustain the prevailing regional order. China is also attempting to use multilateralism as a part of its efforts to change the region to one more in line with its interests and values. Multilateralism has become a sublimated form of contestation over the form and function of Asia's international order. A key consequence of this will be to weaken the policy impact of existing institutional efforts and to promote zero-sum approaches to international policy among many Asian states.
ISSN:0951-2748
1470-1332
DOI:10.1080/09512748.2018.1465456