Contemporary Nationalism In East Asia And The Inter-State Relations

Since modern times, nationalism is one of the world’s most powerful political and social forces, at the same time, it is also one of the most successful modern political creeds. The study of nationalist ideas and activities is a worldwide and long-lasting issue. Originated from the anti-western movements in the second half of the19th century, east Asian nationalism is the product of the evolution of the modern international system and national crisis. Nationalism implanted by the Japanese Aggressive War in East Asia turned out to be a special historical memory, and even today, it is still seen as the cause of barriers to national reconciliation and direct "incentive" of nationalist conflict in East Asia. At the same time, from the Korean War to the end of the Cold War, the demands of the goal of nationalism in East Asia can not get rid of the "American factor" associated. So far, the East Asian nationalism has not completed its independent, unifying, historically shouldered mission.Since the end of the Cold War in the1990s, the world situation has undergone a series of fundamental changes. The world situation has been developing in the direction of multipolarity, the relationships among "superpowers" have been readjusting, economic globalization has been deepening interdependence, conflicts between North and South have been intensifying, and the threat of non-traditional security field has become increasingly prominent."The third wave of nationalism" all over the world spread to East Asian countries, and nationalism found its emerging market in China, South Korea and Japan. Based on the "historical complex" and realistic assumptions, the Chinese nationalist thought since the1990s is undeniably oriented towards "anti-Western","great power","anti-Japan", and "against the United States". After the end of the Cold War, Japan’s new nationalism gradually rose, the core of its guidelines is to make Japan a "normal country". The goal of Japan’s new nationalism has a profound foundation of recognition within Japan, and the change of the international situation also provides it a developing space. Contemporary nationalism in South Korea includes both the scrutiny and attention on national history and national status, but also it reflects the changes and demands of the national culture and national psychology in dealing with geo-environmental challenges. Since the beginning of the new century, especially after Japan’s Koizumi’s cabinet took office in2001, the introduction of a series of tough foreign policies caused a sharp conflict of interests between the East Asian countries, triggering a strong rise of against each other situation of the East Asian nationalist thoughts.The rise of nationalism in East Asia and the third wave of nationalism around the world fit in time, specific geopolitical factors and the deep historical and cultural factors can be seen as its root. In essence, the contemporary nationalist conflicts in East Asia is still the continuation of the struggle between East Asian countries existed in modern times, and its content is no more than everlasting "seeking survival and development," concerning with realistic national interest. The impact of nationalist conflicts in East Asian counties involves many aspects such as politics, economy, culture, and security. Nationalism caused the East Asian countries the dilemma of choosing between interdependence and security, and nationalist "resistance" pointing to the United States, therefore, brings changes in the political structure in Northeast Asia. Nationalism is the conceptual factor affecting the national strategy, meanwhile, strategic rationality and nationalist impetuosity brings pressure to these countries when they make and implement the external strategy.Although the East Asian economy has achieved fast development, but the goal of nationalism has a long way to go, nationalist confrontation has become the obstacles of regional cooperation and pitfalls for safety. U.S., EU, and other Asian countries are warily watching the developing direction of China and Japan. Facing global problems, the whole world is looking forward to the major countries of the East Asian region to assume more responsibility. Nowadays, in the accelerating process of globalization, nationalism is no longer the main driving force of historical development, and it is no longer a political program to guide development and progress of the East Asian countries. In the long term, nationalism in East Asia needs to be "integrated". Regionalism is the connecting bond of nationalism (national interest) and globalism (interests of all mankind). Drawing on the EU’s successful experience, regionalism is supposed to be the starting point of reconciliation, cooperation and harmony in the East Asian countries. Promoting East Asia cooperation, protecting the security of East Asia through regionalism and multilateral mechanisms, cultivating East Asian identity through "shared concept", East Asian countries and Eastern civilization will embrace a brighter future ".From a historical point of view, dilution and ablation of nationalism is ultimately inseparable from ethnic equality, mutual trust based on cultural exchanges, and nationally cultural recognition and integration, although this will be an extremely long and painful process accompanied by economic integration and political democratization. Getting rid of the nightmare of the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", reasonably facing "China threat theory" and "China’s responsibility theory", fully excavating the treasure of wisdom in East Asia, and gradually establishing the concept of "New East Asia ", it will be a great start for the oriental peoples and oriental civilization to change its subordinate position, and to grasp the initiative for survival in order to achieve its prosperity.