This introductory chapter, and the book in general, deal with the theoretical concept of overhangs or legacies in international relations. An overhang or legacy is a negative perception that derives from historical interactions and subsequently becomes embedded in the psyche of a state, both at the level of the elites and the citizen body. Specifically, the book examines legacies affecting important bilateral relationships in East Asia with a view to understanding the historical origins and how and why they have been utilized and refined for public and policy purposes. The ultimate aim of this chapter and the configurative case studies is to document overhangs or legacies in five sets of East and Southeast Asian bilateral relations and then deal with them on a comparative basis to see if any significant observations can be made. Naturally, such observations are likely to be useful for the political elites and those tasked with discharging policy if they are interested in bringing these bilateral relations to an even keel.

The chapter is divided into three broad sections. The first section briefly surveys international relations and the theoretical contours that have obtained since the conclusion of World War II. Subsequently, the chapter places the discussion within the much more narrow context of Asian international relations and bilateralism. Then the third section identifies and rationalizes the five sets of bilateral relations that have been chosen for this book. Additionally, it lists the common questions that were distributed to all the chapter writers in order to facilitate a comparative treatment in order to document the issues that are similar and dissimilar across the cases. Such an understanding is likely to nuance the findings of the book and assist in setting the agenda for future work on the same or related issues.

INTRODUCTION

The study of international relations has traditionally focused on three levels of analysis. At the highest or global level, the terminology that is normally used is that of a system. This system is meant to be a reference to structural conditions that inform relations between states, providing in turn opportunities as well as constraints for action. Naturally, superpowers and great powers have overwhelming influence in determining the structural characteristics and attendant dynamics at this highest level.