Small Powers and Trading Security [electronic resource] : Contexts, Motives and Outcomes / by Michael Intal Magcamit.

Introduction -- Part I. Linking security and free trade -- Chapter 1. Free trade as a currency for buying security -- Chapter 2. Rethinking security and re-imagining free trade -- Chapter 3. Overview of East Asian security-trade linkages: APEC and ASEAN Ways -- Chapter 4. Trading in shadows: Taiwan's de facto sovereign space and trade -- Chapter 5. Trading in paranoia: Singapore's defence space and trade -- Chapter 6. Trading in vain: The Philippines's development space and trade -- Chapter 7. Trading in bias: Malaysia's diversity space and trade -- Chapter 8. Conclusion.

This book examines why and how small powers link their security interests and trade agendas, and how security threats influence the facilitation and outcome of their trade activities. In doing so, it analyses the increasingly complex connections between trade and security, demonstrating how these linkages affect the overall security of four small but important states in East Asia. Focusing on the role of high levels of internal and external insecurities, marginal geo-economic size and peripheral geopolitical position, and multidimensional and multidirectional security contexts and threats, the author concludes that for every security enhancement that a linkage creates a consequent security risk is generated. In other words, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines are effectively trading their security. This innovative book will appeal to political scientists, economists, and security and trade experts.