The Pacific Rim and the Western World: Conclusions and Perspectives

Abstract

Contemporary interest in the countries on the Asia Pacific Rim has been stimulated primarily by the swift and sustained economic growth in these countries. Despite the sources of uncertainty referred to, the Pacific Rim has experienced a period of fast economic growth and relative international political stability. On the Atlantic Rim, patterns of mutual economic relations are largely determined by post-war developments in the Western world and by the existence of the European Communities. Western views on the organization of a workable international economic order are naturally linked to Western experiences and developments in domestic, social and political organization. Many countries have a sizeable population of Chinese descent; all countries have adopted the Western sovereign state as their form of political organization. The growing economic importance of the Pacific Rim does challenge the primarily Western-made organization of a workable international economic order.