By Prof Amitav Acharya, The UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance and Chair, ASEAN Studies Initiative, American University, Washington, D.C.
Date: 12 August 2015
Venue: ISIS Conference Room
Overview
Drawing upon his recently published book, The End of American World Order, and an in-progress book on China’s rise and Asian security, Prof Acharya argues that while the ‘unipolar moment’ in international relations is over, what comes at its place is not a “multipolar” world – an outdated European concept – but a Multiplex World. Like a multiplex theatre, it presents the audience (international community) with a wider choice of ‘plots’ (ideas and ideologies), actors (including new powers), and producers and directors (of peace, development and order) than was the case under US hegemony. In Multiplex Asia, Chinese regional hegemony, whether benign like a revived Tributary system, or coercive like the American Monroe Doctrine, is implausible. Instead of China shaping the region, the region might shape and constrain China with the help of emerging conditions that include an equilibrium of power, economic interdependence, regional multilateral institutions and ideological diversity (that defies both the Western Democratic Peace ideal and the Chinese Tianxia or ‘all under heaven’). While these conditions may not prevent regional conflicts, they might spare Asia Europe’s catastrophic 20th century wars.
ADMISSION IS FREE Please confirm your participation via fax or e-mail not later than 10 August 2015 to:
RSVP: Tel: 603 2693 9366 ext 165; 2693 2060;
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Email: murni@isis.org.my
