The Pacific Rim Region: Emerging Giant

Examines the growing economic importance of Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong

Grade 9-12 A buzzword among business people, economists, and journalists, the "Pacific Rim" usually describes the economic links between the United States and its Asian trading partners. Phillips and Levi expand that view to include all countries bordering the Pacific, presenting an unusually well-integrated picture of a complex situation. They describe the physical, political, cultural, and economic factors that shape the business patterns of the region. The chapter on culture brings out the positive aspects of non-European cultures, but describes how increasingly interlocked economies tend to provide the same products everywhere. This leads to loss of traditional crafts skills, a fact that Phillips and Levi don't mention. They do mention how American culture has brought a new openness for Asian women into economic life. All of the international relationships get primarily an economic treatment except for U.S.Japan relations, for which the authors provide a good historical account. They try hard to maintain an objective viewpoint, mentioning some American foreign policies that could be considered imperialistic. The overall outlook takes the present arrangements of power, with the U.S. and Japan on top, as desirable, and sees Soviet activity as a "threat." The writing style is clear and lively, and illustrations are clear, well-captioned, and keyed to the text. Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Marysville, Wash.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.