This book contains the three lectures that
Ambassador Tommy T B Koh gave to the Stanford University community as the
1994-95 Arthur and Frank Payne Lecturer on the Global Community and Its
Challenges in 1995. His lectures address the three central issues of
economy, security and culture. The question of economic union or conflict is
posed against the background of East Asia's "miracle" rise in the world
economy. Is the success of East Asia a threat or benefit to the United
States? What is the role and significance of APEC in fostering economic
interdependence and will this make for a stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific?
For the first time in 50 years, East Asia is at peace. Will peace and
prosperity prevail? Professor Koh examines both optimistic and pessimistic
scenarios. He argues for the continued engagement of the United States in
East Asia and for a stable relationship between the United States, Japan and
China. In this post-Cold war era, is the source of conflict shifting from
the ideological to the cultural? Professor Koh probes the sensitive and
problematic issues of Asian versus Western values and human rights, and
pleads for mutual respect and mutual learning.
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