Major- International Relations
Minor- Methods
Daisuke is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the George Washington University. His research focuses on the intersection of identity politics and security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific. His dissertation, titled “Clash of Identities: Interstate Enmities in the Asia-Pacific,” argues that states develop enmity due to what he calls an “identity dilemma,” a situation in which one’s actions enact its identity challenges the other’s identity. Through discourse analysis and process tracing based on primary and secondary sources, the dissertation tests the identity dilemma theory by showing the role of identity politics in the rise of American-Japanese enmity during the 1930s leading to Pearl Harbor. The dissertation contributes to broader literature by offering a new theory of interstate zero-sum identity contestation, by providing a novel, identity-based historical interpretation of the origins of World War II, and by drawing policy implications for contemporary cases of interstate enmity, including Sino-American competition today. His other research projects examine U.S. hegemony by invitation, rising powers and revisionism, Japan's postwar identity and security policy, and the indigenous peoples' movements by the Ainu and the Okinawans. His research on the indigenous peoples’ movements is forthcoming in the European Journal of International Relations.
International Security, Identity Politics, Constructivism, East Asia, U.S.-Japan Relations, Japanese Domestic Politics and Foreign Policies, Norms, Transnational Activism, Indigenous Peoples’ Movements
Peer-reviewed Journals:
Minami, Daisuke. “Lost in Translation: Problematizing the Localization of Transnational Activism.” European Journal of International Relations (forthcoming)
Working Papers:
“Clash of Identities: The Identity Dilemma and the Road to the Pacific War.” Under Review.
“Reclaiming Hegemony: Historical Memories, Past Glories, and Returning Powers in World Politics.”
“Beyond Hegemony: Periphery, Reluctant Hegemon, and Empire by Invitation.”
“Contesting State Identities: Formation, Crisis, and Change.”
Policy Writing:
“Revisiting the Northern Territories Problem at Abe-Putin Summit.” Policy Commentaries, The Rising Powers Initiative, October 3, 2016.
“The Okinawa Problem: The Forgotten History of Japanese Colonialism and Ryukyuan Indigeneity.” Policy Commentaries, The Rising Powers Initiative, September 20, 2016.
“Abe and Modi: Nationalist Leaders versus Nationalist Leadership.” Policy Brief, The Rising Powers Initiative, December 11, 2014.
“Japan's Collective Self-Defense: A Catalyst for More Deterrence or Security Competition?” Policy Commentaries, The Rising Powers Initiative, July 16, 2014.
“Learn from Mistakes: Abe's Visit to Yasukuni Shrine,” Policy Commentaries, The Rising Powers Initiative, January 21, 2014.
Ph.D., George Washington University, expected 2019
M.A., George Washington University, 2016
B.A., Macalester College, 2013