
Explaining Contemporary Asian Military Modernization
The Myth of Asia's Arms Race
Sheryn Lee(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 9. January 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
188 pages
978-0-367-50683-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book proposes a novel theoretical framework of "interactive arming" in order to explain armament dynamics in contemporary Asia.
Frequently, the modernisation of contemporary naval forces in Asia is described as an "arms race," with the underlying assumption being that weapons acquisitions and increases in defence expenditure are competitive and bilateral and due to conflicting purposes or mutual fears. This book argues that the concept of an arms race is an unsuitable one for explaining contemporary military modernisation in 21st-century Asia. Instead, it proposes a novel and innovative concept of "interactive arming" and argues that what drives conflict is political rivalry, not weapons acquisitions. Instead of perceiving arming as abnormal behaviour, the book views arming as a natural strategic behaviour of states and military modernisation as a basic requirement for a state's ability to survive.
This book will be of much interest to students of Asian security, strategic studies and international relations in general.
Frequently, the modernisation of contemporary naval forces in Asia is described as an "arms race," with the underlying assumption being that weapons acquisitions and increases in defence expenditure are competitive and bilateral and due to conflicting purposes or mutual fears. This book argues that the concept of an arms race is an unsuitable one for explaining contemporary military modernisation in 21st-century Asia. Instead, it proposes a novel and innovative concept of "interactive arming" and argues that what drives conflict is political rivalry, not weapons acquisitions. Instead of perceiving arming as abnormal behaviour, the book views arming as a natural strategic behaviour of states and military modernisation as a basic requirement for a state's ability to survive.
This book will be of much interest to students of Asian security, strategic studies and international relations in general.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate, Professional, and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
17 s/w Zeichnungen, 8 s/w Tabellen, 4 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 21 s/w Abbildungen
8 Tables, black and white; 17 Line drawings, black and white; 4 Halftones, black and white; 21 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
313 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-367-50683-4 (9780367506834)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
04/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€161.09
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
04/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
04/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
Sheryn Lee is Lecturer in the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University, Australia.
Content
1. Introduction 2. The "Arms Race" Fallacy 3. Arming in Asia 4. Complex Decision-making 5. The Geostrategic Environment 6. Complementary Behaviour 7. Political Rivalry 8. Conclusion