-
84. Trends in U.S. Politics and Their Implications for America's Asian Policy
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Chapter
- Additional Information
420 William J. Barnds By: ROS Size: 7.5" x 10.25" J/No: 03-14474 Fonts: New Baskerville 84. TRENDS IN U.S. POLITICS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR AMERICA’S ASIAN POLICY WILLIAM J. BARNDS Reprinted in abridged form from William J. Barnds, “Trends in U.S. Politics and Their Implications for America’s Asian Policy”, in Regional Dynamics: Security, Political and Economic Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region, edited by Robert A. Scalapino, Seizaburo Sato, Jusuf Wanandi, and Sung-Joo Han (Jakarta: Centre for Strategic and International Studies, 1990), pp. 227–72, by permission of the publisher. THE CHALLENGES AHEAD It is clearly impossible to consider all the important developments that might occur in Asia or in U.S. politics that could influence America’s Asian policy. The 1988 presidential election and the implications of the turmoil in world financial markets beginning in the autumn of 1987 add new uncertainties to the scene. Therefore certain key trends and general propositions will be set forth based upon an interpretation of past American experience in Asia, and of recent public attitudes and government policies. Then a few important specific issues which the United States faces or might face will be considered briefly. And in conclusion the broad issue of American ability and willingness to continue to play a major role in Asian affairs will be examined. It is clear from carefully designed surveys of public opinion that support for greater involvement in international affairs had increased significantly between the mid1970s and the early and mid-1980s.1 Yet attitudes of Americans ranging from citizens and elites to policymakers will be influenced not only by developments and events in Asia but also by those occurring elsewhere — such as in the Persian Gulf, where the administration’s policy of military involvement has at least initially been broadly supported despite the damage done by the Iran-Contra affair. One development warranting mention is the impact that the rapid growth of AsianAmericans is likely to have on U.S. policy toward the region. Extrapolating from the data of the 1970 and 1980 censuses, there probably are about 5 million AsianAmericans in the United States today, although many are not citizens. They are clearly having a growing impact on American life, and add to American awareness of Asia. These trends are likely to continue. Some Asian ethnic groups have acquired sufficient resources and knowledge of the American political system to be able to create publicity for causes involving their 084 AR Ch 84 22/9/03, 12:58 PM 420 Trends in U.S. Politics and Their Implications for America’s Asian Policy 421 By: ROS Size: 7.5" x 10.25" J/No: 03-14474 Fonts: New Baskerville former homelands, including congressional hearings to consider conditions in these countries and their relations with their neighbors. Nonetheless, the ability of AsianAmericans to influence U.S. policy on basic issues of Asian policy is still quite limited, and likely to expand only slowly. The major reason is that Asian-Americans are not a single group but a series of groups with few interests in common. The largest of these — the Chinese — are themselves divided between native Taiwanese, Chinese from Taiwan who originally came from the mainland in the late 1940s, Chinese from Hong Kong, and those from the PRC; these groups often have sharply divergent views on issues involving China and Taiwan; Pakistanis and Indians have different viewpoints , as do Sikhs and Hindus from India. The same is true for most other communities . The Vietnamese-Americans are strongly anti-communist, but as recent arrivals, most of them are still struggling to succeed in America. There are no strong domestic political pressures to make any substantial changes in the broad thrust of American security and political policies in Asia which will confront whoever is elected president in 1988. The problems of balancing U.S. security and economic interests on the one hand and human rights concerns on the other will remain and be complicated by the reforms being attempted in Leninist societies. If South Korea continues to move successfully toward democracy, the dilemma will be eased regarding that country, but (as discussed later) the issue may become more acute in the Philippines. The House of Representatives probably will remain Democratic for the indefinite future given the steady rise in the rate at which incumbents are reelected,2 but its orientation on Asian issues is less clear. And the Democrats will remain divided on important aspects of foreign...