SHAPING THE ASIA-PACIFIC: TRAILBLAZING LEADERS AND THEIR GLOBAL IMPACT

Shaping the Asia-Pacific studies some of the most important political leaders in the region. It shows how they and their different approaches to domestic and foreign affairs have shaped the region, as well as the impact that these leaders have had on international politics across the world. The scholars featured in this book are a diverse group of renowned subject-matter experts from both within and outside the Asia- Pacific region.

Leaders matter. The role of leaders should not be underestimated when it comes to a state's international relations. As agenda-setters, they play a crucial role in shaping and influencing a nation's foreign policy — forging alliances, negotiating treaties, and representing their countries on the global stage. They impact the world through the ideas they bring and the actions they take. This is no different in the Asia- Pacific. Since the end of the Second World War, this part of the world that was once marginalized in global politics has emerged as a crucial geopolitical and economic player. The strategic trajectory of the region has been defined and shaped by the visionary policies, leadership, and influence of voices such as Shinzo Abe, Bob Hawke, Kim Dae-jung, Narendra Modi, Deng Xiaoping, Xi Jinping, Lee Kuan Yew, Mahathir Mohamad, Fidel Ramos, and Lee Teng-hui. This study analyzes their leadership styles, their policy initiatives, and the effects they have had on international affairs, highlighting the enduring significance of individual agency in foreign policy.

Alexander C Tan is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, University Chair Professor of Political Science at the National Chengchi University (Taiwan), Honorary Professor of the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College, Fellow of the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies (Dallas, USA), and Founder and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (Christchurch, NZ). Alex received his PhD in Political Science from Texas A&M University, MA in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and AB Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University. He was recently visiting professor at Oxford University's School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). Alex writes extensively in the areas of parties & elections, political economy, Taiwan and Asian politics, and international relations of the Asia-Pacific. Alex is editor of Frontiers in Political Economy and editorial board member of international academic journals such as Political Behavior, Asian Survey, Political Science, Issues and Studies, Journal of Asian Security & International Affairs, Politics and Governance, Politicka Misao, Journal of Electoral Studies, Korean Journal of International Studies. His recent books include Indo-Pacific Security: US-China Rivalry and Regional States' Response (World Scientific Publishing, 2024) and Asia-Pacific Small States and COVID-19: Political Economies of Resilience (Lynne Rienner Publishing, 2023).

Orson Tan is Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs. He received his PhD in Political Science and International Relations and Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Canterbury, and BA Education & History from Nanyang Technological University. Orson's research focuses on the areas of identity politics, comparative politics, Southeast Asia politics, international relations of the Asia-Pacific, and regional security of the Indo-Pacific. His latest works include multiple chapters in the Encyclopaedia of Asian Politics. Orson has also regularly published analysis in outlets like The Diplomat, East Asia Forum and The Interpreter.