THE UNITED STATES AND THE REGIONAL ORGANIZATION OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, 1965-1985

by W.W. Rostow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 1986

A heavy work intended for specialists in governmental relations among the nations of the Western Pacific. Replete with numerous original documents from the period covered, the book also could serve as a source work for students specializing in the area. Rostow presents his material as a case study of the events and proposals that he considers significant. He begins with Lyndon Johnson's speech of April 7, 1965, at Johns Hopkins in which he offered the countries of Southeast Asia a billion-dollar US investment to begin regional development of the Mekong River Region. Tho scheme was to be modeled on our own TVA. Rostow sees the proposal as indicative of significant American support for the sentiment then emerging in Southeast Asia for regional economic arrangements. Critics viewed it at the time as an economic bribe to try to buy support from the leaders and people of the area for unpopular American policies in Vietnam. From the LBJ speech, Rostow then traces the development of Asian regionalism down to the present. The book includes a chapter in which Rostow looks to the future, speculating "". . .on how the economic organization of the Pacific Basin might begin in ways which might mitigate or solve some of the problems that have thus far frustrated its initiation. . ."" A worthwhile contribution to the study of the area. Rostow's style matches his heavy subject, however, and this, is for the dedicated only.

Pub Date: Feb. 3, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Univ. of Texas Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION