This textbook examines the governance of nation states in this region. It sets out the range of political beliefs and styles and the simliarities and differences between individual states and the ways in which they choose to govern. The book addresses key areas including: the Anglo-Saxon powers; Japan; independence movements; the politics of economic development; social movements; the politics of the environment; and the pressures for political change in the region. The authors also ide ntify factors which explain the political underpinning of the economic development in the region.