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Evolving Philippines‐U.S.‐China Strategic Triangle: International and Domestic Drivers
Author(s) -
Heydarian Richard Javad
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
asian politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1943-0787
pISSN - 1943-0779
DOI - 10.1111/aspp.12355
Subject(s) - china , independence (probability theory) , administration (probate law) , political science , foreign policy , opportunism , politics , dilemma , power (physics) , deterrence theory , balance (ability) , political economy , development economics , economics , law , philosophy , statistics , physics , mathematics , epistemology , quantum mechanics , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation
The triangular relations among three states—the Philippines, the United States, and the People's Republic of China—are governed by structural balance of power factors, “pragmatic opportunism” on the part of the superpowers, and the threat and opportunity perceptions of individual Philippine administrations. Recent years have seen Manila dramatically oscillating between the extremes of engagement and deterrence toward China, and dependence on, and independence from, the United States. In particular, while the Benigno Aquino III administration (2010–2016) adopted soft counterbalancing against China and heavily relied on American military support, the succeeding Rodrigo Duterte administration, in contrast, distanced itself from America in favor of deeper engagement with China. The seemingly erratic swings in the pendulum of Manila's foreign policy is a telltale sign of the dilemma of small power politics as well as the tempestuous nature of Philippine domestic politics.