Asia-Pacific-realist and imaginary constructions

The Asia-Pacific is more a symbol than a concrete geographic entity. Overtime the idea has changed, largely at the behest of external or peripheral forces. Economics has played an important role in constructing the region. Initially this impetus came from external domination. More recently economic strength came from Asia, with only marginal concern for the Pacific. Currently security dominates constructions of the region. Yet within whatever boundaries might be considered, educational achievement is uneven, social learning is driven by both nationalism and regional values and university student mobility is uneven both within and outside these boundaries. There is some response to this latter phenomenon suggesting a nascent, although not inclusive, regional identity.