Suchergebnisse

The dominant preoccupation of the study of small states has been with diplomatic, military and economic manoeuvres within an international political order by the "great powers". This article examines the shortcomings of the small state framework in the light of Singapore's physical characteristics and the Republic's improved foreign policy terrain in the late 1980s and 1990s. The article maintains that in view of the post-Cold War changes in Singapore's operational environment and the "new expansiveness" in its foreign policy, parts of the small state construct have been rendered outmoded by policy practice. In the concluding section, the article provides some possible alternative analytical frameworks for studying Singapore's foreign policy. (AJPS/DÜI)

Includes alternative frameworks, such as the weak state approach, the regime theory, and the region-state idea.

"In many ways, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is a microcosm of the Singapore brand of government. The DNA of Singapore's policymaking is its forward-looking nature. S. Rajaratnam's trademark is taking the long view while Lee Kuan Yew articulated his wish for leadership foresight and the admiration for 'helicopter quality' candidates in policymaking. This was how RSIS' mission began under the stewardship of the late President S. R. Nathan. RSIS began (as IDSS — i.e., the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies) in 1996 as a form of policymakers' clairvoyant on security matters. To date, it is Singapore's 'frontline' think tank on Asia-Pacific security, counter-terrorism, inter-religious dialogue and non-traditional security threats. The contributors in this edited volume, Forward Engagement: RSIS as a Think Tank of International Studies and Security in the Asia-Pacific, are the stalwarts of the RSIS mission for the past 20 years and the leading lights for the RSIS of the 21st century. These are their reflections for posterity as well as their forward projections for their quasi-diplomatic and intellectual roles in the service of Singapore's national security."--Publisher's website

Calling attention to the unique social and political uses being made of IT in Asia, in the service of offline and online causes predominantly filtered by pre-existing social milieus, the contributors examine the multiple dimensions of Asian differences in the sociology and politics of IT and show how present trends suggest that advanced electronic media will not necessarily be embraced in a smooth, unilinear fashion throughout Asia. This book will appeal to any reader interested in the nexus between society and IT in Asia.