The Last Phase of the East Asian World Order: Korea, Japan, and the Chinese Empire, 1860-1882

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. Prof. Kim's study, a synthesis of diplomatic 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 domestic 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 different policies designed to safeguard the interest and fulfill the aspirations of each country. His account is revisionist and that it throws in question numerous interpretations of the historical record that have enjoyed general acceptance. A striking example of multi-archival research 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.