Prologue : the ruins of Champa -- The humanist dilemma -- China's Caribbean -- The fate of Vietnam -- The concert of civilizations? -- The good autocrat -- America's colonial burden -- Asia's Berlin -- The state of nature -- Epilogue : the slums of Borneo.

An examination of the future role of the South China sea in international relations and a tour of the the nations surrounding the South China Sea and their interests in the region. In exploring each of these countries individually, Kaplan clearly shows where the conflicts may arise and why they will be challenging for the international community"--