Includes bibliographical references (p. 272-314) and index.

Conceptualising East Asia -- The Weight of History -- Geopolitics and Security -- Nationalism, Domestic Politics and Asian Values -- The Developmental State -- East Asia and the Global Economy -- East Asian Regionalism -- East Asian Futures -- Conceptualising East Asia -- The Weight of History -- Geopolitics and Security -- Nationalism, Domestic Politics and Asian Values -- The Developmental State -- East Asia and the Global Economy -- East Asian Regionalism -- East Asian Futures.

This book examines the distinctive character and evolution of political systems, economic structures, and security relationships of East Asia, a dynamic region that will profoundly influence global developments in the twenty-first century. Mark Beeson places East Asian development in the unique historical circumstances that have underpinned its remarkable rise to prominence over the last few decades. This multi-dimensional analysis provides the basis for an assessment of current efforts to develop a unified East Asian region.