Introduction

Northeast Asia's already high standing in the world order continues to rise. There are now hardly any doubts that this formerly peripheral regional system will shape the global international order in the 21st century. There is a substantial amount of conflict and tension in the region, including flashpoints such as the Korean Peninsula, issues over Taiwan, various territorial disputes, etc. Northeast Asia is still lacking a solid and working system of cooperation to ensure mutual security. What are, then, the principal reasons for this state of affairs?

First, there is a lack of mutual trust, which leads to acute security dilemmas. Real trust is possible only among those who know and understand each other well. To be able to find solid common ground, the countries need to have similar basic characteristics, including the same or, at least, compatible values. As a rule, the more homogenous the states are, the more likelihood there is that they are going to be partners rather than rivals. However, Northeast Asian states are separated by great differences in terms of culture, economic systems, political regimes and ideology. Until these gaps are bridged, it will be difficult for them to share common terms of understanding and trust each other.

Second, Northeast Asia is still plagued by mutual resentments, animosities and traumata rooted in history. Third, Northeast Asia is a unique region, the only of its kind, as most of its constituent units either already hold great power mantles (the US, China, Russia, Japan) or strongly aspire to major power status (both Koreas, South and North). This makes them highly ambitious, fuelling contests for leadership.

Fourth, the core Northeast Asian states (China, Japan and the two Koreas) are characterized by nationalist sentiments of high intensity. Nationalism is closely connected to the Westphalian type of international relations based on sovereign nation-states. The Westphalian order emerged in Europe in the mid-17th century and afterwards spread to other parts of the world. The development of the Westphalian system in Europe was accompanied by the growth in great power nationalism, which climaxed in the first half of the 20th century with the two world wars.