Realism and interdependence in Singapore's foreign policy / N. Ganesan.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [168]-175) and index.

International relations theories and small states -- The ministry of foreign affairs, policy principles and policy arena -- Singapore's early policy output, 1965 to 1968 -- Singapore's Cold War and post-Cold War policy output -- Important regional bilateral relationships : Malaysia -- Important regional bilateral relationships : Indonesia -- Economic and defence diplomacy.

Singapore's existence and success derive in part from its success in the domestic political arena and in part from the skilful management of a well-defined foreign policy with clearly identifiable goals and issues. A clear core of realist self-reliance is layered with the demands of a competitive trading state that requires a liberal international trading regime. Hence, both competitive and cooperative philosophies underpin Singapore's foreign policy. InRealism and Dependence in Singapore's Foreign Policy, Narayanan Ganesan charts the philosophical underpinnings of Singapore's foreign policy output and the institutions responsible for it and examines the importance of economic and defense diplomacy that are central to Singapore's foreign policy output. It gives particular attention to the two most important regional bilateral relationships-with Indonesia and Malaysia-and how relations with its adjacent neighbors have influenced Singapore's foreign policy. Combing first-hand research withexcellent analysis, this volume provides a much needed report on the survival of a small state in the globalizing world. Realism and Dependence iis essential reading for academics in the field of Asian studies and Asian foreign policy, and will be of interest to scholars across a wide range of disciplines in the region and the world.

Includes Web resources.