Dawning of a New Horizon: Recent Trends in East Asian Studies

• Published in: Pacific focus 2008, 23(1), , pp.1-3
• Main Author: Kim, Euikon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 정치외교학
• ISSN: 1225-4657; 1976-5118
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1976-5118.2008.00001.x

Current tendencies in East Asian politics continue to be influenced by several structural factors in the region in the foreseeable future. The first factor is the ideological shift in regional politics. The second factor is a power shift in the region marked by the relative decline of U.S. dominance with a concomitant rise in the influence of China, Russia, and Japan. The third factor is the development of civil society in East Asia with the surge of democratization occurring since the late 1980s. Finally, it is important to note that increasing numbers of political scientists with diverse backgrounds such as social minorities like women and disparate ethnic groups have brought various research agendas into the field breaking the classical issue hierarchy in East Asian studies. Given the interplay of these factors, East Asian relations will continue to be dynamic and unpredictable, thus, challenging scholars with interesting yet still under-researched subjects that need to be thoroughly explored and analyzed. KCI Citation Count: 6