Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

9-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Political Science

Advisor

Peter Liberman

Subject Categories

International Relations

Keywords

Hub-and-spokes, Multilateralism, Alliances, East Asia, Quad, FOIP, U.S-China

Abstract

Since the end of WWII, multilateralism has consistently grown as the go-to alliance structure for the United States. Despite this, the U.S. opted to create a series of bilateral alliances after WWII in Asia, dubbed the Hub-and-Spokes system. This alliance system has not only sustained itself, but also continues to fortify itself in the face of a rising threat in Asia. China has increased its assertiveness and has shifted the balance of threat in the region, while also being the primary economic and development option for regional states. This major change in the structure of Asian power has surfaced the questions of why multilateralism does not exist in Asia, and why the United States did not and has not pursued an Asian NATO. I argue that the existing system benefits both the United States and regional powers, and that burgeoning multilateral institutions and forums have been used to bolster bilateral and inter-spoke relations, rather than try and replace the existing system opting for a “bilateral-multilateral” approach to alliances in Asia. The United States and regional actors are responding to China’s actions, but not heading towards formal multilateral security alliances akin to NATO.

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