동남아 약소국 외교정책 연구

Abstract

A Study of Foreign Policies of Minor Powers in South east Asia A foreign policy often takes on a diplomatic trouble and is compared to a silent war. Newly independent nations and minor powers try to keep and develop their own foreign policies in order to secure their safety, enhance the national prestige, and develop national economy. Such nations as Israel, Taiwan, and Singapore that gained independence after the Second World War became rich and powerful countries through their foreign policies regardless of their small size. Since the age of the Silk Voyage, Southeast Asia had been colonized by the Western Powers for a long time. Most of the countries remained under control or protection of former settlers even after their independence. Former settlers, most of which were the Western Powers used defense against Communist in the world order charged into a cold war as an excuse. It resulted in Southeast Asia becoming a warm corner of both eastern and western ideologies. Small and weak nations naturally couldn't help adopting a foreign policy for survival. Minor powers in Southeast Asia that won independence after the Second World War, which include Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and Brunei, have developed a foreign policy for survival. The policy is for establishing national and governmental identity, and achieving social stability and economic development. It is believed that Singapore was able to establish governmental identity and become a welfare state through the economic growth thanks to its own foreign policy. Brunei and Laos succeeded in joining the family of nations, by establishing the foreign policy suited to their status as a minor power. However, Cambodia went through utter confusion because it had to continuously change not only itself by request of supporting power but its foreign policy for neutrality. That's why Cambodia finally decided to join the ASEAN.