Indo-Pacific in Context – serie

This handbook brings national and thematic case studies together to examine a variety of populist politics from local and comparative perspectives in the Asia Pacific. The chapters consider key and cross cutting themes such as populism and nationalism, religion, ethnicity and gender, as well as authoritarianism. They show how populist politics alters the way governments mediate state-society relations.The essays in this volume consider:diverse approaches in populist politics, for example, post-colonial, strategic vs ideational, growth and redistribution, leadership styles, and in what ways they are similar to, or different from, populist discourses in Europe and the United Statesunder what social, political, economic and structural conditions populist politics has emerged in the Asia-Pacific regionnational case studies drawn from South, East and Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific analyzing themes such as media, religion, gender, medical populism, corruption and cronyism, and inclusive vs exclusive forms of populist politicsmodes and techniques of social and political mobilization that populist politicians employ to influence people and their impact on the way democracy is conceived and practiced in the Asia PacificAs a systematic account of populist ideologies, strategies, leaders and trends in the Asia Pacific, this handbook is essential reading for scholars of area studies, especially in the Asia Pacific, politics and international relations, and political and social theory.

This handbook brings national and thematic case studies together to examine a variety of populist politics from local and comparative perspectives in the Asia Pacific. The chapters consider key and cross cutting themes such as populism and nationalism, religion, ethnicity and gender, as well as authoritarianism. They show how populist politics alters the way governments mediate state-society relations.The essays in this volume consider:diverse approaches in populist politics, for example, post-colonial, strategic vs ideational, growth and redistribution, leadership styles, and in what ways they are similar to, or different from, populist discourses in Europe and the United Statesunder what social, political, economic and structural conditions populist politics has emerged in the Asia-Pacific regionnational case studies drawn from South, East and Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific analyzing themes such as media, religion, gender, medical populism, corruption and cronyism, and inclusive vs exclusive forms of populist politicsmodes and techniques of social and political mobilization that populist politicians employ to influence people and their impact on the way democracy is conceived and practiced in the Asia PacificAs a systematic account of populist ideologies, strategies, leaders and trends in the Asia Pacific, this handbook is essential reading for scholars of area studies, especially in the Asia Pacific, politics and international relations, and political and social theory.

This handbook explores the significance of the Indo-Pacific in world politics. It shows how the re-emergence of the Indo-Pacific in international relations has fundamentally changed the approach to politics, economics and security.The volume:explores the themes related to trade, politics and security for better understanding of the Indo-Pacific and the repercussions of the region's emergencestudies different security and political issues in the region: military competition, maritime governance, strategic alliances and rivalries, and international conflictsanalyses various socio-economic dimensions of the Indo-Pacific, such as political systems, cultural and religious contexts, and trade and financial systemsexamines the strategies of various states, such as the United States, Japan, India and China, and their approaches towards the Indo-Pacificcovers the role of middle powers and small states in detailInterdisciplinary in approach and with essays from authors from around the world, this volume will be indispensable to scholars, researchers and students in the fields of international relations, politics and Asian studies.

This book analyses the evolving geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region and explains how Djibouti fits in the global strategies of four major powers—the US, China, Japan, and France. It shows how Djibouti is emerging as a key nation in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, explores the interconnections between Djibouti and the Indian as well as Pacific Oceans, and through Djibouti examines broader trends in contemporary great power politics in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Belt and Road Initiative of China. Moving beyond contemporary works on the region, the author integrates Africa and the Middle East with discussions on the Indo-Pacific to illustrate the coalescing of strategic geography from Eastern Africa to the Western coast of the Americas.A major intervention, the volume will be essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and researchers of politics and international relations, security studies, African studies, peace and conflict studies, and maritime studies.

This handbook explores the significance of the Indo-Pacific in world politics. It shows how the re-emergence of the Indo-Pacific in international relations has fundamentally changed the approach to politics, economics and security.The volume:explores the themes related to trade, politics and security for better understanding of the Indo-Pacific and the repercussions of the region's emergencestudies different security and political issues in the region: military competition, maritime governance, strategic alliances and rivalries, and international conflictsanalyses various socio-economic dimensions of the Indo-Pacific, such as political systems, cultural and religious contexts, and trade and financial systemsexamines the strategies of various states, such as the United States, Japan, India and China, and their approaches towards the Indo-Pacificcovers the role of middle powers and small states in detailInterdisciplinary in approach and with essays from authors from around the world, this volume will be indispensable to scholars, researchers and students in the fields of international relations, politics and Asian studies.

This book analyses the evolving geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region and explains how Djibouti fits in the global strategies of four major powers—the US, China, Japan, and France. It shows how Djibouti is emerging as a key nation in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, explores the interconnections between Djibouti and the Indian as well as Pacific Oceans, and through Djibouti examines broader trends in contemporary great power politics in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Belt and Road Initiative of China. Moving beyond contemporary works on the region, the author integrates Africa and the Middle East with discussions on the Indo-Pacific to illustrate the coalescing of strategic geography from Eastern Africa to the Western coast of the Americas.A major intervention, the volume will be essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and researchers of politics and international relations, security studies, African studies, peace and conflict studies, and maritime studies.

The book studies the development of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. As strategic competition grows, the lessons from the pandemic, the deepening Sino-US rivalry, and the United States losing grip on the current world strategic environment all compel Japan to focus its attention on the Indo-Pacific region. The volume examines Japan's foreign policy through an analysis of its strategic agenda, economic calculations, maritime security concerns, and soft power policies. It looks at Japan’s relations with United States, Australia, India, Vietnam, Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States in the context of Japan’s bilateral and multilateral arrangements.An important contribution to the study of politics in the Indo-Pacific region, the book will be an indispensable resource for students and researchers of political science, international relations, foreign policy, geopolitics, security studies, strategic studies, as well as area studies – namely East and Southeast Asian studies and Indo-Pacific studies.

The book studies the development of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. As strategic competition grows, the lessons from the pandemic, the deepening Sino-US rivalry, and the United States losing grip on the current world strategic environment all compel Japan to focus its attention on the Indo-Pacific region. The volume examines Japan's foreign policy through an analysis of its strategic agenda, economic calculations, maritime security concerns, and soft power policies. It looks at Japan’s relations with United States, Australia, India, Vietnam, Africa, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States in the context of Japan’s bilateral and multilateral arrangements.An important contribution to the study of politics in the Indo-Pacific region, the book will be an indispensable resource for students and researchers of political science, international relations, foreign policy, geopolitics, security studies, strategic studies, as well as area studies – namely East and Southeast Asian studies and Indo-Pacific studies.

This book explores multifarious policy dimensions relevant to climate change and its associated vulnerabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.The essays in the volume focus on:Climate resilience in terms of policy implementation at the local, national, and regional levels in Asia-PacificUnderstanding climate change through the lens of non-traditional securityAssesses geo-economic and geopolitical impacts and adaptation strategiesExamines issues of climate refugees and migrationThe volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of politics, public policy, environment and sustainability studies, climate action and Indo-Pacific studies.

The book offers a vivid analysis of the new geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific in terms of big power rivalry between the US-China and country-wise perspectives situating largely within the late 2000s and culminates with the developments of the COVID-19 period. The great power shift, marked by the rise of China and the relative decline of the US, poses a serious challenge to the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region and the world order in general. Ironically, the play of realism in the region is stymied by broad partnerships of key countries that utilise the liberal approaches of cooperation with both rivals – the US and China. The book captures the mosaic of stakeholders – rivals the US and China along with Russia; other QUAD members Australia, India, and Japan; key ASEAN members, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam; vulnerable states in East Asia, viz. Taiwan and South Korea; and groupings including the ASEAN and QUAD – that constitute the new world politics of the Indo-Pacific.The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of Indo-Pacific studies, global politics, and international relations.

The book offers a vivid analysis of the new geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific in terms of big power rivalry between the US-China and country-wise perspectives situating largely within the late 2000s and culminates with the developments of the COVID-19 period. The great power shift, marked by the rise of China and the relative decline of the US, poses a serious challenge to the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region and the world order in general. Ironically, the play of realism in the region is stymied by broad partnerships of key countries that utilise the liberal approaches of cooperation with both rivals – the US and China. The book captures the mosaic of stakeholders – rivals the US and China along with Russia; other QUAD members Australia, India, and Japan; key ASEAN members, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam; vulnerable states in East Asia, viz. Taiwan and South Korea; and groupings including the ASEAN and QUAD – that constitute the new world politics of the Indo-Pacific.The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of Indo-Pacific studies, global politics, and international relations.

With China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific, this book systematically analyses and explores the complex reality of questions regarding threat perception—why and when do states perceive or do not perceive China as a threat, and what influences or drives these perceptions? How have their perceptions evolved and changed over time? To provide deeper insight, it moves beyond traditional Realist explanations of the “China threat”. Additionally, by engaging in a diverse theoretical discussion, it studies the various perspectives of key Indo-Pacific players: India, Japan, China, the United States, Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Korea. Mapping the formation and changing perceptions of threat regarding China’s rise, this book would be essential reading for scholars, students, and researchers of international relations studying the Indo-Pacific region, threat perception, global politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, Chinese studies, middle powers, and strategic studies. It will also be a useful handy reference for foreign policy experts, government bureaucrats, and think tanks.

This book examines Indo-Pacific issues from a Southeast Asian perspective and goes beyond discourses such as ASEAN–China or ASEAN–US–China. It analyses the new regional balances in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific region at the diplomatic, strategic and economic levels while taking into account the ongoing uncertainty of the international order, reshaped by the post COVID-19 crisis and characterised by the increasingly adversarial China-US relations, the sensitive context of South China Sea and Taiwan crisis and the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine. It highlights Indo-Pacific not only from a geostrategic angle but an economic one, considering ASEAN amidst competing connectivity strategies and integration challenges.The book offers an inclusive outlook capturing diversity and convergence of strategies in a key region where the stage of tomorrow’s global order will be decided. It will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of politics and international relations and Area Studies, especially Southeast-Asian Studies and Indo-Pacific Studies.

This book examines Indo-Pacific issues from a Southeast Asian perspective and goes beyond discourses such as ASEAN–China or ASEAN–US–China. It analyses the new regional balances in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific region at the diplomatic, strategic and economic levels while taking into account the ongoing uncertainty of the international order, reshaped by the post COVID-19 crisis and characterised by the increasingly adversarial China-US relations, the sensitive context of South China Sea and Taiwan crisis and the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine. It highlights Indo-Pacific not only from a geostrategic angle but an economic one, considering ASEAN amidst competing connectivity strategies and integration challenges.The book offers an inclusive outlook capturing diversity and convergence of strategies in a key region where the stage of tomorrow’s global order will be decided. It will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of politics and international relations and Area Studies, especially Southeast-Asian Studies and Indo-Pacific Studies.

With China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific, this book systematically analyses and explores the complex reality of questions regarding threat perception—why and when do states perceive or do not perceive China as a threat, and what influences or drives these perceptions? How have their perceptions evolved and changed over time? To provide deeper insight, it moves beyond traditional Realist explanations of the “China threat”. Additionally, by engaging in a diverse theoretical discussion, it studies the various perspectives of key Indo-Pacific players: India, Japan, China, the United States, Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Korea. Mapping the formation and changing perceptions of threat regarding China’s rise, this book would be essential reading for scholars, students, and researchers of international relations studying the Indo-Pacific region, threat perception, global politics, geopolitics, foreign policy, Chinese studies, middle powers, and strategic studies. It will also be a useful handy reference for foreign policy experts, government bureaucrats, and think tanks.

This comprehensive volume offers a novel approach to understanding climate change dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region by combining theoretical foundations with practical country-specific analyses. Beginning with an exploration of climate change and green theory concepts, the book traces the international system’s trajectory in addressing environmental challenges before examining diverse national approaches ranging from the European Union to Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The work provides critical insights into the geopolitical climate competition between the United States and China, analysing how these superpowers are leveraging climate cooperation to strengthen their influence within the Indo-Pacific region. Written for a general audience, the book creates greater awareness of the emerging contours of climate change and the complex contestations surrounding environmental policy in this strategically important region. The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of international relations, environmental politics, climate policy, and Indo-Pacific studies. It will also appeal to policymakers, environmental advocates, and general readers seeking to understand the intersection of geopolitics and climate action in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

This comprehensive volume offers a novel approach to understanding climate change dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region by combining theoretical foundations with practical country-specific analyses. Beginning with an exploration of climate change and green theory concepts, the book traces the international system’s trajectory in addressing environmental challenges before examining diverse national approaches ranging from the European Union to Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The work provides critical insights into the geopolitical climate competition between the United States and China, analysing how these superpowers are leveraging climate cooperation to strengthen their influence within the Indo-Pacific region. Written for a general audience, the book creates greater awareness of the emerging contours of climate change and the complex contestations surrounding environmental policy in this strategically important region. The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of international relations, environmental politics, climate policy, and Indo-Pacific studies. It will also appeal to policymakers, environmental advocates, and general readers seeking to understand the intersection of geopolitics and climate action in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

This book delves into the intricate political dynamics surrounding self-determination in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific, located off Australia’s east coast. It provides essential context on the peace agreements that ended civil unrest in the 1980s, delivering three decades of stability, but which have now concluded, leaving the territory at a crossroads.The collection analyzes three recent referendums on independence, the last of which was boycotted by indigenous independence supporters, resulting in political division and renewed violence in early 2024. Through a carefully curated selection of essays, the book explores the root causes of this unrest and the challenges of negotiating New Caledonia’s future. The anthology flags the broader geopolitical stakes for France and the Pacific region which are explored more deeply in a companion volume. It introduces why developments in New Caledonia hold strategic significance—not only for its people but also for Australia, the Pacific islands region, the western alliance, and France, with broader implications for the Indo-Pacific.This volume is an invaluable resource for scholars, policymakers, journalists, business professionals, and general readers interested in self-determination, peacebuilding, and the shifting power dynamics in the Pacific. It offers a comprehensive reference on New Caledonia’s contentious political journey, highlighting its importance for regional stability, economic development, and France’s Indo-Pacific ambitions.

The world order is changing. And the Indo-Pacific is at the heart of it. In these uncertain times, this book asks the crucial question: will there be war or peace?America remains immensely powerful, but China aims for world primacy. Where does this binary struggle leave India? And what about Japan, rearming for the first time since 1945? As if that were not enough, North Korea is aligning itself with Russia, which itself has returned to the world stage. Meanwhile, islands in the connected seas may look idyllic but are often the home of unresolved disputes. And the problems of the Middle East have drifted south into the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Should Islam be seen now as a geopolitical force in the region? The Indo-Pacific is witness to it all.Written for a wide readership, this volume provides essential reading for academics, diplomats, and policymakers to understand contemporary Indo-Pacific geopolitics. The book appeals to practitioners as well as theorists across disciplines, including International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Regional Studies.