Abstract

Presupposing the significance of the regional-level theories of international relations, this essay explores an East Asian regional theory in comparison with the universal theories, and argues that the two kinds of theory can be mutually complementary. This essay is divided into three parts. While the first part addresses the significance of the attempt to find an East Asian theory, the second begins with an explanation of the conventional and universal security theories, including the theories of balance of power, power transition, balance of threat, and security dilemma, and it surveys how the theory of international society reviews the universal theories. The second part then suggests the theories of threat transition and two-level security dilemma, and analyzes the threat perception in East Asia through the two frameworks with a purpose of criticizing and modifying the universal theories. The third part discusses actual East Asian experiences―the Korean War, Korea–Japan relations, and South–North Korea relations―to which the theories of threat transition and two-level security dilemma may apply.