Trade and security in the Asia-Pacific region

The end of the second World War in 1945 precipitated a series of post-colonial revolutions in the Asia-Pacific region, although, as a result of increasing hostility between Communism and the 'west' many nations entered into Cold War alliances which encouraged subservient interdependence in various ways. However, there were obvious benefits. During the 1980s and early 1990s Asia in general enjoyed strong economic growth, much of which could be attributed to government control over state planning and open access to Western markets. In recent times, political and economic policies such as those exemplified by the GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs), and GATS (General Agreement on Trade and Services), have mitigated against economic nationalism in favour of trade liberalisation. The Cold-War structures which for the past forty years provided economic underpinnings for many Asia-Pacific nations are losing effect. Due to their loss of economic stability, many South East Asian and Pacific islands nations are now more insecure than at any other time since their independence.