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Tag Archives: Richard Rosecrance
America’s Undiminished Power of Attraction
President Obama has nominated two representatives who will lead US trade talks over the next two years: Michael Froman, former White House economic aide as U.S. Trade Representative and Penny Pritzker, Hyatt scion and Chicago fund raiser as the new Secretary of Commerce. Together their appointments signal America’s new focus on increasing international trade as a stimulus to the domestic economy. The two representatives will deal with proposals for a customs accord with the European Union (TAFTA and an investment agreement) and a commercial union with Pacific nations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But the new stress on trade represents a more profound reorientation than just a new way of seeking economic development. It underscores America’s undiminished power of attraction to other countries in both international politics and economics.
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Rising Sun in the New West
By Richard Rosecrance
Considering the rise of China, will Japan join a new West? The answer is likely to be “Yes.”
In the past Japan was a leader in charting new strategic choices for the world. In the late 19th century, Japan emerged from the Industrial Revolution and elected a military course, attacking China and then Russia. Later she expanded geographically into Manchuria and China, and took on the United States of America as well in World War II. In both cases other powers followed in her wake.
After the world economy was reestablished, Japan took the lead in fashioning an opposite strategy: that of the “trading state.” Eschewing militarism, she set a new pathway for the recalcitrant superpowers, Russia and America.
Today the rise of China and Japan’s increasing political and economic success denominate her as a member of the New West. The New West is like the European Union; it is open to new members but not by means of coercion or military pressure. Instead of colonization, the New West is looking for democratic states which have succeeded economically, like those in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Japan can join because of new developments in her own governance. Partly owing to the triumph of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), but also because of a new course by the LDP, Japan has undertaken broader responsibilities in her military relation with Washington. She has taken military roles in the area surrounding Japan including in 2004 a commitment to fight alongside the United States in a military crisis.
Second, she has begun to reinterpret her obl Continue reading
Posted in Analysis
Tagged Article 9, Japan, Mayumi Fukushima, New West, Richard Rosecrance, Rise of China, Yuzuru Tsuyama
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