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January 13, 2011

[SSJ: 6494] [Waseda University Doctoral Student Network (WUDSN)] "The History Problem, Identity Distance, and Worsening Sino-Japanese Relations" (Feb. 1st)

From: Takeshi Odaira
Date: 2011/01/13

Dear All,

On behalf of the Waseda University Doctoral Student Network (WUDSN), I would like to invite you to the following presentation and discussion:

"The History Problem, Identity Distance, and Worsening Sino-Japanese Relations"

Presenter: Yongwook Ryu (Doctoral Candidate, Harvard
University)

Date:  Tuesday, February 1st, 2010
Time:  12:30~14:00
Venue: Waseda University Building No.19, Room 310 (Access map:
http://www.waseda-giari.jp/eng/contact/index.html)
Presentation in English (No Interpreter) Admission Free / No Pre-Registration Required Organized by: Waseda University Doctoral Student Network (WUDSN)
Supported by: Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration (GIARI)


Abstract: Why do some regions in the world become a zone of conflict, while others develop into a zone of peace? Mr. Ryu tracks and analyzes the frequency of interstate militarized disputes in Northeast and Southeast Asia since 1980. The former has increasingly become conflictual since 1990, while the latter has become peaceful during the same period. Contrary to the existing explanations that focus on the rise of China, regime type, and economic interdependence, he offers an identity-based explanation. He develops the notion of identity distance, a variable that measures perceived psychological differences between groups, and hypothesize that a widening (narrowing) identity distance among regional countries increases (decreases) the frequency and intensity of regional conflict.

Mr. Ryu argues that in Northeast Asia the salience of the so-called "history problem" widened the identity distance among the regional countries, while in Southeast Asia the process of building a regional identity and the ASEAN Community narrowed the regional identity distance. As a result, regional conflict became more frequent and intense in Northeast Asia, while it decreased in frequency and intensity in Southeast Asia. The analysis of the original multi-country surveys of the political elite reveals that identity distance correlates with key variables that would affect interstate conflict such as threat perception, regional security cooperation, and the willingness to settle disputes. Furthermore, the content analysis of major newspapers in the two regions shows how the identity distance evolved in opposite directions in the two regions.


WUDSN strives to create a stimulating environment in which participants can engage in horizontal and vertical exchanges with professors, experienced researchers, young scholars, activists, government officials, and business leaders. As such, WUDSN seeks to provide opportunities for PhD candidates to present their work alongside other scholars within, as well as outside Waseda University.
For more information about WUDSN go to:
www.waseda-giari.jp/jpn/wudsn/index_e.html

Best regards

Takeshi ODAIRA (i071329@gmail.com)

Asia Fellow of Political Integration and Identity PhD Candidate of Conflict Resolution, Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University Nishi-Waseda 1-21-1-508, Shinjuku City, Tokyo (1690051), Japan

Approved by ssjmod at 03:27 PM