Tag Archives: political science

China’s Liberalizing Impact on Global Commodity Markets

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Hannah Smith

Memo #195 – China played a key part in the recent collapse of the iron ore pricing regime. This was an unintended consequence of a mix of bold negotiating tactics and competing domestic interests, which made it difficult to implement a consistent international procurement policy. Chinese actions destabilized global market institutions and paradoxically caused their liberalization. Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, China | Tagged commodity markets, natural resources, negotiaton, political science, state investments, trade | Comments Off

Senkaku Dispute: the Fallacy of seeing a Monolithic Japanese Government

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo # 189 – Foreign policy may not be the result of a rational, calculated, and well-coordinated act. Instead, it may stem from messy domestic politics or bureaucratic inertia and oversight. This idea applies to the Japanese government’s actions in the Senkaku dispute, even though critics paint a portrait of a monolithic Japanese government masterminding a Senkaku strategy. Continue reading →

Posted in China, Japan | Tagged bureaucracy, foreign policy, islands dispute, political science, Senkaku Islands | Comments Off

Asia in the World (Video Interview with Dr. Yves Tiberghien)

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #186 (Video) – Europeans, particularly the French are terrified about the rise of China. This is the first book that presents China not as an ugly, totalitarian, and repressive state, but as a multifaceted player. China is fragmented and pluralistic and can offer a diverse portfolio to the world. It is a partner that can engage in social and collaborative processes like the G20. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, China, Europe, Japan, South Korea | Tagged Chinese Communist Party, economy, G20, political science, soft power | Comments Off

Thailand and Turkey: Challenges to Elite and Military Rule

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #180 – Thailand and Turkey have a lot in common. Both countries celebrate their avoidance of formal colonization by adopting Westernizing adjustments overseen by “modernizing” rulers in the 19th century. Both have followed similar state-led economic development trajectories in the 20th century, only to liberalize after the 1980s. Both are known for military interventions in the electoral process. Both are highly nationalistic and devoted to national myths of development centred around revered figures. Continue reading →

Posted in Thailand, Turkey | Tagged comparative politics, elite, military, political science, Thailand conflict | Comments Off

Mobilizing the Chinese Education Movement in Malaysia

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #174 – The Chinese education movement in Malaysia fought for the survival of Chinese vernacular schools within the Malay-dominated education system since 1951. Today it is one of the most influential political entities among Chinese-speaking Malaysians. It is playing a critical role in influencing votes to support a movement-friendly political alliance in the next general election. Continue reading →

Posted in Malaysia, Southeast Asia | Tagged education, Malay, movement, political science, politics | Comments Off

Global Security – the Shifting Axis, Kepler-16b, and Two Suns

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #171 – Star Wars fans worldwide remember the iconic scene of Luke Skywalker peering into a sky at dusk with not one but two suns sinking over the horizon of his home planet of Tatooine. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Australia, China, United States | Tagged military, political science, security, trade | Comments Off

Asia in the Governance of Outer Space

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #154 – In 2011, the United States Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence called global attention to the congested, contested, and competitive nature of outer space activities. All space powers, including in Asia, continue to struggle with the safety and security of assets that undergird their modern economies, militaries, and societies. The practical issue is how to achieve national objectives, some of which are only possible in collaboration with others. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, China, Europe, India, Japan, United States | Tagged law, military, outer space, political science, security | Comments Off

Exporting “Tough on Crime” Policy to Thailand: Harper’s Recent Visit

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #148 – Human smuggling and terrorism – not trade – played centre stage in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to Thailand in March. Although the Thai government was eager to solicit more interest in trade during a visit that marked the 50th anniversary of Canada-Thailand relations, it was left with $7 million (CDN) for an anti-crime program and an “exploratory” talk on free trade. Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Southeast Asia, Thailand | Tagged ASEAN, Business, crime, insecurity, political science, terrorism, trade | Comments Off

Explosive Fuel Politics in Indonesia

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #146 – Indonesian cities have recently witnessed a wave of protests as citizens voiced complaints against a planned fuel price hike. On March 30, 2012, students in Jakarta stormed the legislature and clashed with police. Legislators have carefully adjusted their positions to distance themselves from the hated fuel price hike. Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesia, Southeast Asia | Tagged fuel, Golkar, party politics, political science, protests | Comments Off

Japanese History Textbook Controversies: The Missing Link

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Howard Tsang

Memo #144 – History textbook controversies in Japan (教科書問題) focus on “facts” about particular events and question specific phrasing and numbers. In the past, Chinese and South Korean governments have charged that Japanese government-screened history textbooks allegedly trivialized and/or justified past atrocities. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan | Tagged Asia Pacific War, education, history, political science, textbooks | Comments Off