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harmonious economic relations [what the authors refer to as interdependence] between them are of global significance."7 Interdependence theory in the study of politics has
also contributed to the discussion with dialogues on
globalization, integration and cooperation, all of which contain some elements of the concept. Though the term may have been used synonymously for such ideas, it is worthwhile to study it separately. Interdependence has come to stand on its own as a concept rich in meaning and potential,
beginning with the simple observation that it is
consistently used as a basis for discussion in many areas including politics. mIt is rare indeed for one term or idea, to attract such widespread popular and academic appeal as that secured by 'interdependent' in recent years."8 In
addition, there are other related concepts, such as regime theory and globalization, but there are reasons (discussed below) for not using them in this case.
The concept of interdependence can be usefully applied
to the environment which has come to be known as the
'information age," a time in which the flows and exchanges
7 Yukio Noguchi and Kozo Yamamura. US-Japan Macroeconomic
Relations: Interactions and Interdependence in the 1980s.
(Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996), p. 4.
8 R.J. Barry Jones and Peter Willetts. Interdependence on
Trial: Studies in the Theory and Reality of Contemporary
Interdependence (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984), p. 1.
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of information are becoming increasingly noticeable,
important and relevant.