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ANSWER TO QUESTIONS (EDCA)

1. Of course it is. Due to the resurgence of China and the strengthening of ASEAN ties, the
United States of America aims to maintain its special relationship with the Philippines.
It could be seen as an attempt to keep its sphere of influence in the Asia-pacific region.
Moreover, the geo-political position of the Philippines is essential to the containment that
the US is trying to establish in Asia. Along with Japan and South Korea, the US needs the
Philippines to mitigate the rising power of China.

2. Aside from the territorial claims of China in the West Philippine Sea, I do not think China
is really trying to expand its territory or colonize countries politically. However, China is
attempting at conquering countries economically by strategically expanding its sphere
of influence in Asia. Apparently, this can help them become a better economic power
which can be easily converted into military and political power. Thus, the EDCA, for
China, is a threat economically and politically.

3. I believe that the Philippines will be critical in this power struggle. It might even depend
on us if the struggle will escalate into a real war or it will continue to be some kind of
cold war. Nevertheless, our foreign policy and decisions are vital in maintaining the
peace in our region. If worse comes to worst, we will be one of the battlegrounds in a
possible war between two powerful states. Thus, we must be careful with our decisions
vis--vis the two states.

4. It might be true. The reason is that it allows the United States to use our strategic position
against China. However, in lieu of the new administration, I do not think this containment
strategy will work due to the shift in foreign policy. We are now leaning in favor of China
rather than the US. Hence, it can really hurt the possible containment strategy of the
United States. But still, in a realist perspective and for the sake of practicality, we must
maintain our relationship with the US. For the US too, I believe they will not give up the
Philippines as a valuable ally.

5. We are not only a proxy state. We are a state in the middle of two strong states struggling
for power and position in the International system. Just like my answer in the third
question, our decisions and foreign policy are crucial in what may happen in the future.
Whether it could lead to a war or not, it depends on us because of our geo-political
position.

6. Again, the establishing and maintaining bases in the Philippines is important for the
United States because of our position in the Asian region. The EDCA helps in assuring
the United States that these bases and our special relationship with them will continue.
Consequently, this would allow US to mitigate the advances and aggression of China in
finally becoming a superpower. In light of the security dilemma within the region, the
actions of China, from a neorealist perspective, are responses to the anarchy of the
system. Thus, they behave as they do so that they can become a hegemon in the region;
eventually, a hegemon in the world (check Robert Gilpins Hegemonic Stability Theory).
7. The best theory, I think, that can describe the US-China-Philippines political dynamics
would be constructivism. Let us look at the assumptions first. First, there are both state
and non-state actors in the international system. If we look at the aforementioned
dynamics, the three states are not the only important actors here. International
organizations like the UN, the individual leaders and representatives, and global civil
society are all involved in this dynamic. Second, the behavior of actors is based on their
identity that was constructed by through their history. For example, China is aggressive
against the West because they were humiliated by them during the 19th and 20th century.
The United States act that way because throughout the current history, it has made itself a
global power. Thus, it would like to maintain its position in the system. The Philippines,
as a country who has been colonized by three powerful states, has always been
submissive to powerful ones especially with the United States. Although, as time passed
by and power shifts happen, the Philippines has shifted its alliance to another powerful
state. It is painful to admit but we are xenocentric in terms of our foreign policy. Third,
anarchy exists in the international system but it affects each actor differently. This is the
reason why the effect of anarchy is different in relation to China, US, and the Philippines.
Thus, they act differently even if we are looking at one political dynamic.

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