Korea’s Middle Power Diplomacy: Between Power and Network (The Political Economy of the Asia Pacific)

✍ Scribed by Seungjoo Lee (editor), Sangbae Kim (editor)

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 159
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This volume discusses Korea’s role as a middle power in the midst of the 21^st century global power shift. Focusing on Korea’s middle power diplomacy from the perspective of coalition building, the book discusses structural factors that shape middle power strategy and diplomacy. Written by leading Korean researchers, the chapters use diverse methodologies to offer a range of perspectives on Korea’s place in the developing global order. Topics discussed include South Korea’s approach to technology policy in the midst of US-China cyber competition, the East Asian ‘Thucydides Trap’, MITKA and middle power diplomacy, Korea’s role in the South China Sea dispute, and South Korean cyber security. Providing a unique treatment of middle power opportunities and motivations in the East Asia region, this volume will be of interest to students and scholars of international relations, Asian politics, diplomacy, security studies, and global governance.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
The Crisis of International Order and Middle Power Diplomacy: Hyperglobalization, the U.S.-China Strategic Competition, and COVID-19
The Promises and Challenges of South Korea’s Middle Power Diplomacy
The Organization of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Thucydides on Thucydides Trap: A Reading with the Emphasis of Middle Powers and Its Application in the East Asian Context
Introduction
Corinth: A Peace-Breaking Middle Power
Melos: An “Irrational” Middle Power
Syracuse: A Middle Power Pursuing a Regional Hegemon
Application to the East Asian Context
References
Chapter 3: Roles of Middle Power in East Asia: The Perspective of Network Theories of World Politics
Introduction
Middle Power in a Network Perspective
Rethinking Structure: From Distribution to Configuration
What Matters Is Position
Three Notions from Network Theories
Structural Holes: Exploring the Configuration of Networks
Positional Power: Exploring Actor’s Role in Networks
Translation: Exploring Actor’s Networking Strategies
Roles of South Korea as a Middle Power
Framing and Positioning in the Network
Connecting and Disconnecting Ties
Collecting and Attracting Like-Minded Groups
Complementary Standard Setting
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Emerging Powers and a Middle Power: U.S.-China Competition and South Korea in Cyberspace
Introduction
Theoretical Understanding of Emerging Power Politics
Framework for Emerging Power Competition
Inter-network Politics: Interpreting Emerging Power Politics
U.S.-China Emerging Power Competition in Cyberspace
U.S.-China Technological Competition in Cyberspace
U.S.-China Standard Competition in Cyberspace
U.S.-China Charm Competition in Cyberspace
South Korea as a Middle Power in Cyberspace
South Korea as an Emerging Middle Power
Searching for Middle Power Strategies in Cyberspace?
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: The Dilemma of South Korea as a Middle Power with Regards to the Conflicts Between the United States and China in the South China Sea
Introduction
U.S.-China Conflicts in South China Sea
China’s Maritime Power Construction and the Asian Rebalancing Strategy of the U.S.
Conflicts Between U.S.-China on International Norms and Rules
South Korea’s Position on the Conflicts Between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea
South Korea’s Principle Position and U.S. Demand
South Korea’s Position on the Award of Arbitral Tribunal
South Korea’s Dilemma on the Conflicts Between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea
South Korea’s Dilemma on Power Competition Between the U.S. and China
South Korea’s Dilemma in the South China Sea Dispute
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: The Inter-network Politics of Cyber Security and Middle Power Diplomacy: A Korean Perspective
Introduction
Positional Approach to Middle Power Diplomacy
Complex Networks in Cyber Security
Global Governance in Cyber Security
Multistakeholderism vs. Inter-governmentalism
The U.S. and Europe vs. Russia and China
U.S.-China Competition in Cyber Security
U.S.-China Cyber Conflict
Internet Policies and Regulatory Institutions
Competing Securitization of Cyber Security
Middle Power Diplomacy in Cyber Security?
Brokerage Diplomacy in Cyber Security?
Collective Diplomacy in Cyber Security?
Complementary Diplomacy in Cyber Security?
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Power Shift, Power Diffusion, and Middle Power Diplomacy: MIKTA and Changes in Global Governance
Global Governance Under Pressure and the Emergence of Middle Power Diplomacy
Main Features of Middle Power Diplomacy in the Twenty-First Century
The Origin and Evolution of MIKTA
MIKTA’s Unique Strategy
Coping with Challenges
References
Chapter 8: Unpacking the Domestic Political Foundation of Middle Powers: Cases from South Korea and Turkey
Introduction
Debates on Middle Powers
Theoretical Framework: Capability-Democracy Nexus Model
Hypothesis
South Korea’s Democratic Development and Its Middle Power Diplomacy
Turkey: From Symbol of Middle Power to Reckless Rule Breaker
Conclusion
References