Cores and Peripheries: Interaction Patterns in Asia

Abstract

This analysis seeks to determine the nature of interaction patterns among various Asian countries, and between them and three nonregional actors (the United Kingdom, the United States, and the USSR). The results indicate that military and cultural exchange patterns provide the strongest support for the feudal interaction model, while diplomatic exchange patterns tend to contradict it. A trend of defeudalization seemed to have set in for diplomatic interactions during the 1970s. On the other hand, economic and communications interactions have apparently moved in the opposite direction. Thus, data for different dimensions of international relations reveal different degrees and trends of feudal interaction. Moreover, they show important differences in the positions of various putative core states and in the scope of their spheres of influence. The existence of status incongruity and fluctuating domains for these countries encourages further study to explore the possibility of conflict among them. © 1982, SAGE PUBLICATIONS. All rights reserved.