The Geopolitics of Defending the Liberal International Order in the Indo-Pacific

As the liberal international order (LIO) weakens, the temptation to appease autocracies in the Indo-Pacific grows. However, the democratic peace theory suggests that democracy fosters peace and stability, making it strategically unwise for the West to allow autocracies to proliferate.
In this panel, I use selected theory to explain why, in the short term, the West may be inclined to collaborate with autocracies. Despite this tendency, I propose a strategy for aid allocation that promotes democracy. By categorizing Asian states based on their regime types, I outline four distinct approaches the West should take: Transactional Approach: The West should adopt a transactional stance toward non-liberal Asian states, using the prospect of regime change as a bargaining tool. Reassurance of Liberal Allies: To reassure its liberal Asian allies, the West should enhance its military capabilities and shift its strategic posture towards deterrence by denial. Restoring Credible Deterrence: The West needs to rebuild multiple "Arsenals of Democracy" to restore credible deterrence, both in conventional and nuclear terms. Military Aid to Ukraine: Contrary to popular belief, Western military aid to Ukraine strengthens, rather than weakens, the West’s military production capacity.
This panel welcomes research papers on the above theme that aim to assist Western policymakers in state-to-state negotiations by emphasizing the importance of democracy promotion and military deterrence as tools of statecraft. It also seeks original research papers on how promoting democracy in the Indo-Pacific buys the West valuable time to address its multiple systemic crises.