Unifying Forces in East Asia and the Role That Versailles Conference Played in Asian Nationalism - Essay Example

Task: Term Paper PART ONE: Unifying Forces in East Asia and the role that Versailles Conference played in the development ofAsian nationalism East Asia, as a region, has been involved in a number of activities that have formed factors bringing about unity. These have been put in place with a sole reason of making East Asia a place of unanimity and a peaceful coexistence. As noted, East Asia itself has established its own co-operational framework including integration with an aim of embracing unity that comes from within. In addition, its proximity in terms of geographical outlook has enabled it access its goods and services with a lot of ease. This is a sign of unity that is deeply rooted in the entire region of East Asia in terms of bringing new inventions and technological advancements, receiving information, and letting it be in a constant unity with its neighboring economies thorough getting involved in direct investments. As a result, it has been seen how a long-established flying geese, a form of monetary relations between Japan and East Asia, has ended up as a unifying factor of regionalization. East Asian Culture is further noted as a unifying factor. In this, one sees how common orientation Confucianism and, on the other hand, Buddhism are a unifying force amongst them. Other sub expanses within the East Asian communalities are deeply rooted in linguistic similarity as well as ethnic ties that join them together. Northern China, Southern Korea, Southern China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong amongst other East Asian countries have all embraced ethnicity as a unifying factor. They have a logic regional consciousness, mutual interest, identity and common destiny existing amongst them. These are amongst the unifying forces that have immensely tried to unify the entire East Asian communities. However, according to Calder (134-157), this is never the case between US and Japan, as he thinks that the relationship between the countries is deteriorating as they quest for global ambitions. Additionally, these communities have constructed a more articulate Pacific Regional identity, something that has been so significant in improving unity amongst the East Asian states. In another new look, development of Asian nationalisms was greatly influenced by Versailles Conference, a peace conference that was held in 1919. This conference took place after the war, and it had to bring peace within the Asian territory as well as rebuild nationalism at the same time. The peace conference united a number of countries in Asia after the First World War that has separated so many of them. It is imperative to understand that not all countries in Asia embraced the Versailles Conference. In fact, China as a country did not sign the Versailles Treaty but rather preferred walking out of the plan because of its grievances and betrayal that it felt. China was involved in anti-Japanese protest and finally left the Versailles Treaty. Versailles treaty had a greater role in Asian nationalism. For instance, after Japan had succeeded in leading most of Asian undertakings, this peace treaty brought about unity that had long been dreamt of. Asia as a nation had been deprived of personal ruling at the continent because of the influence and authority of power that the powerful Western countries inflicted on them. Step by step, through this treaty, a great unity was implemented. It is after this treaty that a stream of new ideologies including missionary based assistance came into place. In order to achieve a great nationalism in Asia, the people had to embrace new ideas that could assist their economy and education to rise to the required standard. The Versailles Treaty itself had provisions that for sure enabled Asia to rise and recover their nationalism. For instance, Germany, which is regarded as a colonial power, had responsibilities to undertake after The First World War. It had to respect the independence of Australia and other countries while at the same time surrendering its rights and entitlement over other overseas countries. Asia being one of them had to develop nationally, as other countries that made Asian citizens destroy it due to protests and demonstrations were compensated duly. In another view, the peace treaty affected Asian nationalism; as regards it, it resulted into significant transformation within the Asian territory. This transformation focused on the language system of various Asian countries, the basic language regarded as an important means of communication amongst them all. For example, language and expression that the treaty of Versailles played a role in bringing about was evident in China, Korea, and Vietnam. These are the roles that the Versailles Treaty played in Asia nationalism. PART 2: Democracy Variance from Country to Country in Pacific Asia and the reason why Japan's Constitution prohibits armed forces, yet Japan have its Self Defense Forces. Democracy in the Pacific Asian countries experiences a great deal of diversity associated with numerous dissimilarities that are associated with individual countries’ systems and provisions. To begin with, various countries are involved in pluralistic political systems. These countries are predisposed to understand differences that may occur between them and other countries. Pacific Asian countries practiced different perspectives in democracy. One of them is strategic perspective, which is seen as a product of conflict that arises from the social environment. It is observed and recommended to embrace change in the Pacific Asia that should focus more on social and political organizations. A number of societies in the Pacific Asia have shown incredible development in elite power and pluralism. However, a registered fear and frustration may be found in Singapore and Malaysia owing to risks that come about from increased conflicts in democracy. Democracy in Asia traces itself from a smaller unit in the society, the family, and so it progresses to higher ones. Again, the culture in the Pacific Asia has a lot of influence on the country’s politics and democracy. There are three main kinds of culture in the Pacific Asia: Chinese, Indian, and South East Asian. Additionally, there is a huge diversity in the political-and-cultural life of the countries within the Pacific Asian topography. As observed, there is a diverse democracy existing in these Pacific Asian countries, more specifically, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea. Democracy in the Pacific Asian countries has ensured that independence is achieved, something that is quite vital in the general undertakings of the countries. This independence is based on the capitalistic system, which, on the one hand, brings about many conflicts amongst the foresaid Pacific Asian countries, and, on the other hand, establishes and ensures the political security in the region. In conclusion, democratic forms in these different countries offer relatively pleasing political outlooks that come by in a clear sense of a good leadership. The political system is, at the first glance, viewed as the main means in which these Pacific Asian countries convey their democratic way of life. It is worth to note one interesting peculiarity of the domestic policy of one of these countries, namely Japan – though the country has a constitution forbidding armed forces, it has the so called Self Defense Forces (SDF). Considering provisions of its constitution, there are different interpretations that come out from articles found within the constitution. As outlined by scholars, Article 9 of Japan’s constitution has faced a lot of biasness in terms of interpreting it to receive a clear meaning of what SDF means within Japan’s territory. They further recommend that a revision of the article should be put into place to ensure that no more confusion is seen in this regard. While doing this again, they observe that the wording of the proposed article that is to replace the current one should be done properly to ensure that SDF and its significance is realized in Japan. Japan has a constitution that prohibits armed forces, but, at the same time, it has military forces for self-defense. The government of Japan made a law in 2001 that, while trying to avoid criticism of a contradiction to the constitution, was to introduce a notion and a structure of collective self-defense. It is clearly seen how significant this step was for the Japan’s military. This was going to bring about much heated discussion and polemics in Japan as regards the law’s alleged contradiction to the constitution. Just to explain the reason why Japan had its constitution against armed forces, it is because of their potential dangers as regards not following the already established laws. They include possible overseas military missions that would violate the provisions of the Article 9, which prohibited the use of a military threat to settle international disputes. Works Cited Borthwick, Mark. Pacific Century: The Emergence of Modern Pacific Asia. Colorado, CO: Westview Press, 2007. Print. Calder, Kent. Pacific Alliance: Reviving U.S.-Japan Relations. Connecticut, CT: Yale University Press, 2010. Print. Read More