Conflicts in contemporary Asia – theoretical approach

Abstract

The article attempts to theoretically systematize conflicts in contemporary Asia. At the beginning, attention was paid to the cultural and civilizational determinants of disputes and tensions in the region, which have a direct impact on the sphere of political activity of individual states. It has been found that ethnic and religious heterogeneity is the cause of tensions in Asia in most cases. The critical role of the United States in creating new security architecture across the Asian region has been determined. At the same time, it has been emphasized that multifaceted diversity is not always at odds with conflict-free development and stability. The exemplification of this hypothesis is Malaysia – a country of three cultures (Islamic, Chinese and Hindu). This country gives an example for the whole Asia that diversity does not mean the fatalism of internal conflicts. Malaysia can be an inspiration, especially for the Islamic civilizational circle.

Keywords

• Asia; regionalism; theory of armed conflicts; low-intensity conflicts; high-intensity conflicts; inter-state conflicts; intra-state conflicts; geopolitics