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Reliable Kingdom? The USA, Thailand, and the Logic of Bandwagoning

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  • Martin Wagener

Abstract

As the greatest military power in the Asia-Pacific, the U.S. depends on the cooperation of its allies. In the past, Washington has had to recognize that support is not always forthcoming. Using the example of relations between the U.S. and Thailand, this article tries to establish how the reliability of an ally can be assessed. For this purpose, the options of military access for American forces are first analyzed. Subsequently, the actions of the kingdom are explained from a theoretical point of view: Is Bangkok following a policy of bandwagoning vis-à-vis Washington? Finally, against this background, the possible behaviour of Thailand during a crisis in the Taiwan Strait is discussed: How reliable will the American ally be when it counts?

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Wagener, 2009. "Reliable Kingdom? The USA, Thailand, and the Logic of Bandwagoning," Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 28(3), pages 39-80.
  • Handle: RePEc:gig:soaktu:v:28:y:2009:i:3:p:39-80
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    File URL: http://hup.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jsaa/article/view/67/67
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walt, Stephen M., 1988. "Testing theories of alliance formation: the case of Southwest Asia," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 42(2), pages 275-316, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Realism; Bandwagoning; Ally; Military;
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