This clear and timely book presents the first sustained and structured analysis of globalization in the East Asian context, exploring the strategies used by East Asian countries to cope with the forces of globalization. Eschewing both neoliberal “hyperglobalization” chants and neorealist “globaloney” castigation, the authors integrate a broad conceptual framework with region- and country-specific case studies.

Specifically, the book poses and addresses three major questions about East Asia's globalization. First, it identifies the range of contending conceptualizations of globalization that have underpinned the region's changing and contradictory views in the 1990s. Second, the book critically probes the discrepancy between promise and performance—the myths and realities—of East Asian globalization and the complex interaction of challenges and responses. Third, the authors evaluates the impacts and consequences of globalization for East Asia's political, economic, social, cultural, ecological, and security development. These questions clarify the often-murky nature, challenges, responses, and consequences of globalization, especially in light of the Asian financial crisis and moves toward recovery.