Between the Eagle and the Dragon: America, China, and Middle State Strategies in East Asia

• Published in: Political science quarterly Vol. 131; no. 1; pp. 9 - 43
• Main Author: Ikenberry, G. John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2016; Academy of Political Science; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Alliances; Economic policy; Foreign policy; Hegemony; International relations; International relations-US; International security; East Asia; South Korea; United States > US; Japan
• ISSN: 0032-3195; 1538-165X
• DOI: 10.1002/polq.12430

For more than half a century, the United States has played a leading role in shaping order in East Asia. This East Asian order has been organized around American military and economic dominance, anchored in the U.S. system of alliances with Japan, South Korea, and other partners across Asia. Over the decades, the United States found itself playing a hegemonic role in the region—providing security, underwriting stability, promoting open markets, and fostering alliance and political partnerships. It was an order organized around “hard” bilateral security ties and “soft” multilateral groupings. It was built around security, economic, and political bargains. The United States exported security and imported goods. Across the region, countries expanded trade, pursued democratic transitions, and maintained a more or less stable peace.