The dynamics of Northeast Asia have traditionally been considered primarily in military and hard security terms or alternatively along their economic dimensions. This book argues that relations among the states of Northeast Asia are far more comprehensible when the mutually shaping interactions between economics and security are considered simultaneously. It examines these interactions and some of the key empirical questions they pose, the answers to which have important lessons for international relations beyond Northeast Asia. Contributors to this volume analyze how the states of the region define their ‘security’, and how bilateral relations in hard security issues and economic linkages play out among Japan, China and the two Koreas. Further, the chapters interrogate how different patterns of techno-nationalist development affect regional security ties, and the extent to which closer economic connections enhance or detract from a nation’s self-perceived security. The book concludes by discussing scenarios for the future and the conditions that will shape relations between economics and security in the region.

This book will be welcomed by students and scholars of Asian politics, Asian economics, security studies and political economy.

The dynamics of Northeast Asia have traditionally been considered primarily in military and hard security terms, however relations among the states of Northeast Asia are far more comprehensible when the interactions between economics and security are considered simultaneously. This book examines the conditions under which economics and security interact with each other in mutually shaping ways, and these interactions pose key empirical questions, the answers to which have important lessons for international relations more broadly beyond Northeast Asia.

1. Introduction: The Economic?Security Nexus in Northeast Asia, T.J. Pempel  Part I: Economics and Security in Northeast Asia: Geographical Interfaces 2. Drinking Poison to Quench a Thirst? The Security Consequences of China?Taiwan Economic Integration, Scott L. Kastner 3. The North Korean Economy and International Society, Hiroku Imamura  Part II: Economics and Security in Northeast Asia: Functional Interfaces 4. Economics, Security and Technology in Northeast Asia: Maneuvering Between Nationalist and Globalist Forces, Tai Ming Cheung 5.Bolstering Economic Interdependence Despite Bullying Memories in Northeast Asia, Jong Kun Choi 6. Northeast Asia After the Global Financial Crisis: Power Shift, Competition, and Cooperation in the Global and Regional Arenas, Mie Oba  Part III: Northeast Asian Structures for Economic Cooperation and Conflict Management 7. Security Implications of Free Trade Arrangements for South Korea, Min Gyo Koo 8. Regional Institutions and the Economic?Security Nexus, T.J. Pempel 9. Trilateral Dialogue in Northeast Asia: A Case of Spillover from Economic to Security Cooperation?, Keisuke Iida 10. Conclusion: The Uneasy Dance of Economics and Security, T.J. Pempel