ARTICLES

 

Globalisation, World Capitalism and Rent, and the Emergence of New Cultural Identitarian Political Movements: The Challenges Ahead (pp. 1-14)

Hartmut Elsenhans

 

Abstract

In major regions of the international system, the conditions for a transition to capitalism—empowerment of labour and rising mass incomes—are absent. Their integration into the world economy increases the possibilities of rent seeking. Where the post-1945 secular state classes failed to use rents for the transition to capitalism, they were replaced by cultural nationalists. Cultural nationalists combine some market orientation with rent appropriation and the defence of their national interests in the face of a multipolar international system. Great power co-operation will succeed large alliances of like-minded states because of changing national interests.

 

The Dragon’s Charm Diplomacy in the South China Sea (pp. 15-28)

Nalanda Roy

 

Abstract

The South China Sea (SCS) has long been regarded, as one of the most complex and challenging ocean-related maritime disputes in East Asia. This region has become critical among the disputing countries because of its geographic position in major oceanic routes used by crude oil tankers from the Persian Gulf to Asia and for transporting goods to the rest of the world, as well as for promising offshore oil and gas reserves. This paper explores whether China’s growing assertive position in the name of charm diplomacy will be able to calm down and bring some fresh air in the SCS region.

  

 

India-Afghanistan Relations in the Modi-Ghani Era (pp. 29-46)

Vinay Kaura

 

Abstract

India has had strong political and cultural links with Afghanistan. India’s interest in seeing the war-torn Afghanistan move towards greater peace and prosperity cannot be overstated. India-Afghanistan relations have improved substantially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Although Ghani’s initial moves of seeking closer relations with Pakistani military caused unease in New Delhi, the last two years have witnessed greater warmth in Indo-Afghan relations. Pakistan has neither fulfilled its promise of convincing the Taliban on holding peace dialogue with the Afghan government nor has ceased to provide safe havens to the Taliban. Therefore, the Ghani government has sought a larger Indian role in reconstruction and capacity building in Afghanistan. The Modi government continues to reiterate its support for a negotiated political reconciliation that is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled. This article also argues that US President Donald Trump’s South Asia policy to recommit the US military to Afghanistan, and also to ensure that the Ghani government is in a position to deal with the Taliban from a position of strength has brought India and Afghanistan closer.

 

The Rise of China: Challenges, Implications, and Options for the United States (pp. 47-64)

Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang

 

Abstract

This paper aims to examine how the rise of China may challenge the United States as well as underlining the implications and options for the United States. It provides a thorough analysis of developments in China’s path to become a powerhouse on the world stage, namely China’s economic successes, military modernization, increased soft power in Asia and around the globe, and China’s ambition to have an influential role in the international system. The paper employs the Hegemonic Cycle framework to establish empirical evidence of the rise and decline of the world powers since the sixteenth century. Applying this to the case of China’s rise and the United States as a lonely superpower in the contemporary world politics, the paper will demonstrate that the United States needs to be prepared for both cooperating and confronting with China.

 

China’s Economic Development Policies, Challenges and Strategies, 1978-present: An Overview (pp. 65-84)

Romi Jain

 

Abstract

Since the launch of economic reforms in 1978 under the visionary leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China has emerged as a major player on the chessboard of global politics and as the second largest economy, contributing around 30 percent of the global economic growth. Another key milestone in China’s liberalization route was its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. A conspicuous feature of China’s success story was GDP growth rate that averaged 10.5 percent annually between 2001 and 2010. However, China has lately focused on a “new normal” growth rate and development which is both socially and environmentally sustainable. Against this background, this article offers a critical overview of China’s development policies, perspectives and strategies in the post-Maoist period.

 

RESEARCH NOTE

 

China’s New Silk Route Strategy and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (pp. 85-91)

Henelito A. Sevilla Jr.

 

REVIEW ESSAY

 

China’s Soft Power Diplomacy in South Asia: Myth or Reality? by Jain, B. M. (pp. 91-93)

 

BOOK REVIEWS

 

South Asia and the Great Powers: International Relations and Regional Security by RynningSten (pp. 94-97)

 

BRICS or Bust?: Escaping the Middle-Income Trap by ElsenhansHartmut, BabonesSalvatore (pp. 97-99)

 

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