The Ripple Effect

In this insightful book, Enze Han effectively rejects the notion that China's influence in Southeast Asia is simply directed by a monolithic state. Han masterfully reveals the "complexity" of China's presence in the region, where unintended consequences and non-state actors are as much a part of the story as the intentions of Chinese leaders. * Bruce Dickson, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University *
Based on extensive fieldwork, Enze Han offers a major contribution to our understanding of Chinese influence in Southeast Asia by bringing into the picture quasi-official, unofficial, and even illicit Chinese actors, examining indirect and unintended consequences, and shedding light on local interactions and resistances. The result is a complex, nuanced account that is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand China's engagement with the region. * Todd H. Hall, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford *
Enze Han's The Ripple Effect is an important contribution to our understanding of China as a great power and the nature of its influence in Southeast Asia. Elegantly written, Han reveals the complex nature of China's influence across a set of issues, both traditional and non-traditional. Social scientists and international relations specialists will find Han's spotlight on the role of Chinese non-state actors in spreading Chinese influence and his use of the notion of unintended consequences to assess China's 'policies' invaluable. * Yuen Foong Khong, Li Ka Shing Professor of Political Science, National University of Singapore *
In The Ripple Effect, Enze Han argues against the state-centric approach and focuses on the complexity of state-society relations to understand the increasingly globalized China and its influence on Southeast Asia. This book is a must-read for scholars and students of China and Southeast Asian studies. * Yos Santasombat, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University *
Enze Han has written an outstanding book on the unintended consequences of actions by the Chinese state and non-state actors in Southeast Asia. An important contribution to a growing demand for assessments that center local actors and agency in shaping China's external footprint. * Jessica Chen Weiss, Michael J. Zak Professor for China and Asia-Pacific Studies, Cornell University *
Thematically imaginative and empirically illuminating, The Ripple Effect unpacks the complex nuances behind China's ubiquitous but ambivalent presence in Southeast Asia. Enze Han masterfully reminds us that while size does matter and historical memories are always complicated among neighbors, the effects of asymmetry and proximity are rarely straightforward, but ambiguous, multifaceted, and uncertain. Intended or not, China's action and interactions with smaller neighbors at state, sub-national, or societal levels are bound to affect their present and future ties. This book is a must-read for those interested in understanding China-Southeast Asia relations and the paradoxes of influence in international politics. * Cheng-Chwee Kuik, Professor of International Relations and Head of Asian Studies, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, National University of Malaysia *