Dr. Linda Groff
POL 371/01--Spring 1996
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA 90747 USA

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS OF
EAST ASIA:
JAPAN, CHINA (PRC), TAIWAN, HONG KONG, S. KOREA, N. KOREA

Part I: Brief Introduction/Overview of East Asia

• Geographic Region, and Main Countries of the Region.
• Ancient Cultures and Histories of the Countries of the Region
• Divisions Between Communist and Non-Communist Countries in the Post WWII Era

Part II: Brief Historical Background and Cultural Characteristics of Japan and China

• Different Definitions of Culture (see Handouts).
• Thesis/Approach to Course: Without first understanding something about the cultures of E. Asian countries, one cannot understand how their governmental, political, economic, military, or other societal institutions function. Culture provides a context within which societal institutions function. An institution or technology imported from the West, for example, may not function in the exact same way in another non-Western country, because the culture is different, and the institution must be adapted to the culture and its underlying values--if it is to function effectively there. It is especially important that Westerners understand something about non-Western, in this case Eastern (specifically Japanese and Chinese) cultures respectively, if they want to understand why institutions function as they do in those cultures.
• A secondary issue is how much of Chinese policy (domestic or foreign) is based on traditional Chinese national interests (or culture) versus its Communist system and philosophy? Here it could be argued that Communism (an imported ideology) operates in a unique way in China due to its adaptation to Chinese historical and cultural circumstances. Indeed, it is interesting that China says it is practicing "socialism with Chinese characteristics" (which some today would say allows a fair amount of free market capitalism in the economy, but so far not much political openness or democracy).

Read:

• John Condon, With Respect to the Japanese: A Guide for Americans. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press, 1984. (pb)
• Hu Wenzhong and Cornelius L. Grove, Encountering the Chinese: A Guide for Americans. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press, 1991. (pb)
• Douglas Moore Kenrick, Where Communism Works: The Success of Competitive Communism in Japan. Rutland, Vt. and Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1988. (pb)

Examination on Parts I & II:

• Exam will cover the first two books above (on Japanese and Chinese Cultures)

Book Report on Kenrick, Where Communism Works:

• Write a summary of key points learned in each chapter of the book. Turn in at end of the semester. [Five good points per chapter = A, four points = B, three points = C, etc.]

Part III: The History, Economic Development, and Government and Politics of Japan and China

Read:

• James C. F. Wang, Comparative Asian Politics: Power, Policy, and Change. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1994. Read: "Introduction," pp. 1-12; and Part I, "China and Japan: Modernization, Industrialization, and Contrast in Development," pp. 13-107.

Examination on Part III

Part IV: Group Projects--with each group researching and representing a different country in E. Asia--in a written research paper; oral reports; & a class simulation (Part V). Countries are:

• Japan:
• China/PRC (People's Republic of China):
• Taiwan:
• Hong Kong:
• South Korea:
• North Korea:

Use of Internet and World Wide Web for Added Research on Each Country

• Meet in PC Lab to learn how to use the Internet and World Wide Web. Bring a blank disk with you, so you can save Bookmarks (addresses on the WWW) that you find that relate to your country.
• Open a computer account, as a student, at the Computer Center.

Group Project (Group Research Paper and Oral Reports) on Different Topics Related to One's Country, as follows:

• Cultural Characteristics, & National Negotiating Styles
• Brief History of Country--including Key Events
• Military/National/Broader Security Concerns
• Economic System & Development Issues
• Political System & Governmental Issues
• Foreign Policy Characteristics & Issues--including:
• Relations with the U.S. & Russia in the Region
• Regional Security Issues: Role of Japan in the region (legacy of WWII); China/Taiwan/Hong Kong Relations; N. & S. Korean Relations (including Nuclear Security and Reunification); and U.S. and Russian Roles in and Relations with the Region; and the Future of U.S. Military Bases in Japan; etc.
• Regional Trade and Economic Development Issues, including a Possible E. Asian Free Trade Area or Common Market.
• Technology Exchanges
• Cultural and Educational Exchanges

Part V: Simulation Between East Asian Countries on Their Regional Future

Focus of simulation is discussion of the above issues, as they pertain to each country's interests and to the future of the region. Each country begins the simulation with an opening statement, noting their key concerns about the region & their relations with other countries in the region; also what they can offer other countries, as well as what they need from other countries. See to what extent countries of the region have key areas of common ground that they can agree upon or not. Write up a final group report, with conclusions, on what you found in terms of policy areas where cooperation is possible, as well as issues requiring further negotiations in future over remaining differences.

Simulation: Final Agreements Reached Between the Six Countries of E. Asia

(Japan, China/PRC, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and North Korea) During In-Class Simulation, Spring 1996 Semester, Involving Regional, as well as Bilateral and Trilateral Negotiations.

SUMMARY OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS: READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS

PART I:

READ:

ASSIGNMENTS:

PART II:

READ:

ASSIGNMENTS:

PART III:

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CONTACT LINDA GROFF, VIA E-MAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Dr. Linda Groff . ljgroff@dhvx20.csudh.edu

Also contact Co-Directors, Global Options, if you have important information that you think should be added to this Home Page, or other related Home Pages. Thank you.

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