Regional System: Historical and Contemporary Framework

Question 1

What does the “Clash of paradigms” refer to?

Answer 1

The different prevailing notions surrounding the role of Asia in the geopolitical realm

Question 2

Importance of terminology…

Asia-Pacific? V East-Asia?

Far-East?

Answer 2

First comparison = legitimises whether powers such as U.S, Australia and Japan have a worthwhile say in the theatre due to shared maritime border

Far East = A Eurocentric term, has history with Edward Said’s Orientalism

Question 3

Western view of how IR is conducted & thinker?

Answer 3

Hypothesis, questioning, discussion & Socrates

Question 4

Asian view of how IR is conducted & thinker?

Answer 4

Morality, Virtues and Social order & Confucius

Question 5

Western V Asian understanding of ‘Truth’ and education?

Answer 5

West = Learnt from questioning and contesting understanding, Education is autonomous

Asian = Learnt from the past and elders, Education is part of the system

Question 6

Western view of the value of Theory?

Answer 6

Theory need not be practical, morality has no place in theory

Question 7

Asian view of the value of Theory?

Answer 7

Theory must have a place in guiding society, Morality is very important in theory