Can East Asia Remain Peaceful? Lecture Notes Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers terms, historical periods, and strategic concepts related to the stability of East Asia and the evolving US-China relationship as discussed by Dr. Stein Tønnesson.

Peace

Defined in the lecture specifically as the absence of war or armed conflict.

East Asia

A regional designation encompassing both Southeast and Northeast Asia.

East Asian Peace

A period of relative stability spanning roughly $40$ years characterized by a transition from widespread regional warfare to a minimal share of global battle deaths.

Global Battle Deaths (1946–1979)

During this period, East Asia accounted for $80\,\%$ of global battle deaths.

Global Battle Deaths (1990–2025)

During this period, East Asia's share of global battle deaths dropped to between $1\,\%$ and $$3\,\%^.

Economy First

A policy shift and trigger for regional peace where governments prioritized economic development and growth over military confrontation.

Yoshida Shigeru

The Japanese leader who in $1946$ viewed the lack of soldiers as an opportunity to renounce war permanently, setting a model for other nations.

Narrow Notion of Cold War

A concept described as a shadow war or "war without war," also referred to as "The Long Peace" by Gaddis in $1976$.

Bipolarity

A system of global power defined by rivalry between two superpowers or coalitions of states.

Cold War 1.0

The period from $1949$ to $1970$ characterized as being cold in Europe but "hot" in Asia.

Cold War 2.0

A period beginning in $2008$ following an era of détente and globalization, characterized by technological and resource rivalries.

One China Principle

The Chinese position stating that there is only one China and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it.

One China Policy

The United States diplomatic stance which recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the legal authority while only "acknowledging" the Chinese view that Taiwan is part of China.

Taiwan Relations Act (1979)

United States legislation that provides the legal basis for "strategic ambiguity" regarding the defense of Taiwan.

Double Deterrence

A strategy where the US deters Taiwan from seeking independence while simultaneously deterring China from using force against Taiwan.

Reassurance

The practice of providing guarantees to an adversary to avoid escalation, such as the US refraining from supporting Taiwanese independence while opposing Chinese force.

Lawfare

A method of conflict management involving the use of a specific or national interpretation of international law, such as the law of the sea, to advance claims.

Anti-separation Law (2005)

A Chinese law authorizing "non-peaceful means" if Taiwan attempts secession or if peaceful reunification possibilities are completely exhausted.

Second Thomas Shoal

A location in the South China Sea where the Philippines grounded the ship Sierra Madre in $1999$, currently a point of military and diplomatic tension with China.

TSMC

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which is a central entity in the technological rivalry and potential economic decoupling between the US and China.