Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia
A close look at the evolution of American political alliances in Asia and their future

While the American alliance system in Asia has been fundamental to the region's security and prosperity for seven decades, today it encounters challenges from the growth of China-based regional organizations. How was the American alliance system originally established in Asia, and is it currently under threat? How are competing security designs being influenced by the United States and China? In Powerplay, Victor Cha draws from theories about alliances, unipolarity, and regime complexity to examine the evolution of the U.S. alliance system and the reasons for its continued importance in Asia and the world.

Cha delves into the fears, motivations, and aspirations of the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies as they contemplated alliances with the Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Japan at the outset of the Cold War. Their choice of a bilateral "hub and spokes" security design for Asia was entirely different from the system created in Europe, but it was essential for its time. Cha argues that the alliance system’s innovations in the twenty-first century contribute to its resiliency in the face of China’s increasing prominence, and that the task for the world is not to choose between American and Chinese institutions, but to maximize stability and economic progress amid Asia’s increasingly complex political landscape.

Exploring U.S. bilateral relations in Asia after World War II, Powerplay takes an original look at how global alliances are achieved and maintained.

1123485877
Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia
A close look at the evolution of American political alliances in Asia and their future

While the American alliance system in Asia has been fundamental to the region's security and prosperity for seven decades, today it encounters challenges from the growth of China-based regional organizations. How was the American alliance system originally established in Asia, and is it currently under threat? How are competing security designs being influenced by the United States and China? In Powerplay, Victor Cha draws from theories about alliances, unipolarity, and regime complexity to examine the evolution of the U.S. alliance system and the reasons for its continued importance in Asia and the world.

Cha delves into the fears, motivations, and aspirations of the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies as they contemplated alliances with the Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Japan at the outset of the Cold War. Their choice of a bilateral "hub and spokes" security design for Asia was entirely different from the system created in Europe, but it was essential for its time. Cha argues that the alliance system’s innovations in the twenty-first century contribute to its resiliency in the face of China’s increasing prominence, and that the task for the world is not to choose between American and Chinese institutions, but to maximize stability and economic progress amid Asia’s increasingly complex political landscape.

Exploring U.S. bilateral relations in Asia after World War II, Powerplay takes an original look at how global alliances are achieved and maintained.

42.0 In Stock
Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia

Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia

by Victor Cha
Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia

Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia

by Victor Cha

Hardcover(New Edition)

$42.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 3-7 days. Typically arrives in 3 weeks.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

A close look at the evolution of American political alliances in Asia and their future

While the American alliance system in Asia has been fundamental to the region's security and prosperity for seven decades, today it encounters challenges from the growth of China-based regional organizations. How was the American alliance system originally established in Asia, and is it currently under threat? How are competing security designs being influenced by the United States and China? In Powerplay, Victor Cha draws from theories about alliances, unipolarity, and regime complexity to examine the evolution of the U.S. alliance system and the reasons for its continued importance in Asia and the world.

Cha delves into the fears, motivations, and aspirations of the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies as they contemplated alliances with the Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Japan at the outset of the Cold War. Their choice of a bilateral "hub and spokes" security design for Asia was entirely different from the system created in Europe, but it was essential for its time. Cha argues that the alliance system’s innovations in the twenty-first century contribute to its resiliency in the face of China’s increasing prominence, and that the task for the world is not to choose between American and Chinese institutions, but to maximize stability and economic progress amid Asia’s increasingly complex political landscape.

Exploring U.S. bilateral relations in Asia after World War II, Powerplay takes an original look at how global alliances are achieved and maintained.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691144535
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 08/16/2016
Series: Princeton Studies in International History and Politics , #151
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 352
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Victor D. Cha holds the D. S. Song–Korea Foundation Chair in Government and is the director of Asian Studies at Georgetown University. He is also senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D. C.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations and Tables ix

Preface xi

A Note to the Reader xv

1 The Puzzle 1

2 The Argument: Powerplay 19

3 Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia 40

4 Taiwan: “Chaining Chiang” 65

5 Korea: “Rhee-Straint” 94

6 Japan: “Win Japan” 122

7 Counterarguments 161

8 Conclusion: US Alliances and the Complex Patchwork of Asia’s Architecture 185

Notes 221

Bibliography 293

Index 323

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"For any who are interested in thinking about American grand strategy in Asia from a historical or contemporary perspective, Cha's book is worth picking up. We cannot understand the future of U.S.-China relations in Asia without thinking deeply about its past."—Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Counselor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

"Making important arguments about alliance behavior, Powerplay presents the history of critical cases of U.S. alliance behavior during the Cold War, and cleverly links that history to contemporary challenges in U.S. policy. The book's coverage of tense relations between the Republic of Korea and the United States in the 1940s and '50s is especially impressive. This is a great book."—Thomas Christensen, Princeton University

"This excellent and fascinating book explores the nature of and logic behind America's choice of bilateralism for its security relations with Asian states in the aftermath of World War II. Combining thoughtful and thought-provoking theoretical discussions with in-depth historical research, Powerplay is exemplary of what good IR research should look like."—Galia Press-Barnathan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews