Deterrence, Alliance, and Regime Type:Does Democratization Make East Asia a Safer Place?

This thesis investigates the impact of democratization on deterrence capabilities in East Asia, focusing on the strategic interplay between regime type and international security. By analyzing the cases of Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, this study explores whether democratization enhances a state's ability to deter aggression and contribute to regional stability, particularly in the context of the U.S.-China rivalry. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, examining how the transition from autocracy to democracy in Taiwan and South Korea has influenced their deterrence strategies and alliances, especially with the United States. Japan serves as a control case to understand the long-term effects of stable democratic governance on deterrence. The findings suggest that democratization significantly bolsters deterrence by enhancing internal legitimacy, strengthening international alliances, and improving the credibility of both threats and assurances. This thesis contributes to the broader discourse on democratic peace theory and deterrence, offering insights for policymakers on managing democratic-versus-autocratic rivalries in a complex global environment.