TopGroup 1 : Outline

Group 1 International Relations : Outline

Restructuring of the International Order

The core objectives of this research project is to analyze the influences that great powers in Eurasia such as Russia, China and India have on the international community, and to review the kind of new order that the international community will form with these regional powers.

In addition to these objectives, this project will not simply look into the diplomatic strategies of those three countries, but will, under the heading “restructuring of the international order,” shed light on how the existing world order tackles the challenge offered by the Eurasian powers.

In looking to establish the position of Russia, China and India, it will examine the alignment of that triumvirate within the context of the differences between the world order in the Cold War era and in the post-Cold-War period. Research will center around three researchers who have top-class achievements not only in diplomatic and contemporary research regarding each of those countries, but incorporating Cold War history as well. They are: David Wolff (Russia), Akira Ishii (China) and Osamu Yoshida (India).

Comparative studies of Russia, China and India, and research into their relations are rare even in the leading US-project on the Cold War history studies.

The project will also focus on the trends of the US-related foreign policies. Any analysis on the post-Cold-War international order should be conducted with views on the US activities. Regardless of how the Eurasian powers act inside and outside the region, they are always acutely aware of and influenced by the US and its foreign policies. Beside the support of Japanese researchers on the US-diplomacy, this project will involve joint research with relevant institutions such as the Brookings Institute, the Kennan Institute and Georgetown University in Washington D. C..