Contesting International Society in East Asia [Paperback]

This book asks whether a regional international society exists in East Asia and why its existence matters to both regional and global orders.Combining the international society approach with empirically rich studies of the institutional and social structures of the regional order in East Asia, this innovative volume shows how the region is torn by disputes over its relationship to the Western-dominated global international society.Combining the international society approach with empirically rich studies of the institutional and social structures of the regional order in East Asia, this innovative volume shows how the region is torn by disputes over its relationship to the Western-dominated global international society.Bringing together some of the most innovative scholars in both the English School of international relations and East Asian studies, this volume investigates whether or not significant and distinct international social structures exist at the regional level represented by 'East Asia', and what this can tell us about international society both regionally and globally. The book's main finding is that the regional dispute over how its states and peoples should relate to the Western-dominated global international society makes the existence of East Asian international society essentially contested. While this regional-global social dynamic is present in many regions, it is particularly strong in East Asia. This book will appeal to audiences interested in developing English School theory, the study of East Asian international relations and comparative regionalism.1. Introduction: interrogating regional international society in East Asia Barry Buzan and Yongjin Zhang; 2. International societies in pre-modern East Asia: a preliminary framework Feng Zhang; 3. Imagining 'Asia': Japan and 'Asian' international society in modern history Shogo Suzuki; 4. An East Asian international society today? The cultural dimension David C. Kang; 5. Regional and global forcesló?