Author: Edward J. Lincoln, Director, Center for Japan-U.S. Business and Economic Studies, New York University
Publisher
Brookings Institution
Release Date
April 2004
292 pages
ISBN 0815752164
$52.95
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Overview
Something new is happening across East Asia. A part of the world long noted for its lack of internal economic links is discussing regional cooperation on trade, investment, and exchange rates. Why has East Asia suddenly shifted from a global approach to economic issues to discussing a regional bloc? How fast and how far will the new regionalism progress? Will East Asia become a counterpart to the European Union, or something far less? What is the probable impact on American economic and strategic interests? Is East Asian regionalism something that the U.S. government should encourage or discourage? Edward J. Lincoln takes up these critical questions in this timely and important book and explores what is happening to regional trade and investment flows as he explains what sort of regional arrangements would be the most attractive for the United States, and for the world economy.
An exclusively Asian form of regionalism could run counter to American economic interests, Lincoln says; the U.S. government has reacted negatively to similar proposals in the past. Instead, because trade and investment links between the countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States remain strong, Lincoln argues that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum remains the most appropriate institution for pursuing regional trade and investment issues.
PRAISE FOR OTHER WORKS BY EDWARD J. LINCOLN:
"Arthritic Japan"
"One of the few American scholars who understands Japan well. . . . [He] has done a good job in explaining what ails Japan's economy and what the implications are for the world."
—Asian Affairs
"Offers very clear and convincing explanations for the slow pace of Japanese economic reform, explanations that in turn yield sound predictions."
—Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy
"Troubled Times"
"Trying to improve access to Japanese markets was one of the more difficult aspects of my job as ambassador, and Americans viewing the situation from afar often have difficulty comprehending the problems. Lincoln's book provides a clear and understandable explanation of the situation and the policy alternatives."
—Walter F. Mondale, former U.S. Vice President and Ambassador to Japan
"An incisive analysis of market access and U.S.-Japan trade frictions in the 1990s. This unique and timely study tackles important questions about the openness of the Japanese market and the often contentious process of 'dismantling Japan's convoluted and obscure market barriers'. . . . Policymakers and other concerned citizens have much to gain from reading, and acting upon, this major critique of neoliberal globalization."
—International Affairs
Edward J. Lincoln is a senior fellow in Asia and economic studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also author of Arthritic Japan: the Slow Pace of Economic Reform and several other books, and project director of the Council-sponsored independent Task Force on Japan.
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