First published in 1998. The writing of this book started in earnest with the establishment of a joint research group that gathered at the Netherlands Institute of Advanced Study (Wassenaar, The Hague) between September 1995 and June 1996. The starting point was the question, to what extent and in what way the new dynamics in (South)east Asia would influence Europe's global position, and more specifically, how these changes should be conceptualized in order to assist in the formulation of new policies to deal with the new international environment. Most contributors to this book would agree that there is ample reason to view these changes as an opportunity for Europe, and not just as a threat.