Last phase of the east Asian world order

Between 1860 and 1882 the traditional world order of East Asia embodying the Chinese concept of hierarchical relationships among states disintegrated. In its place emerged an international order based on the Western notion of the equal sovereignty of all nations.

Professor Kim's study, a synthesis of diplo matic and institutional history, examines the process by which China, Japan, and Korea gradually altered their traditional conduct of relations with one another in response to the intrusion of the Western powers in East Asia. He considers the relationship between domes tic politics and foreign policy in each of the countries as well as the interaction of their policies as it affected their dealings with one another and with the Western powers. In doing so he demonstrates how the distinctive cultural, political, and social characteristics in China, Japan, and Korea produced differ ent policies designed to safeguard the interest and fulfill the aspirations of each country. His account is revisionist in that it throws in question numerous interpretations of the his torical record that have enjoyed general acceptance. A striking example of multi-archival re search in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean sources, the volume points the way for future studies of the reactions of the political and cultural entities of East Asia to the common challenge posed by the necessity to modernize their conduct of international relations.