Setting the context

This chapter explores the idea that the US rebalancing strategy was framed in a certain way, which made it persuasive enough to be accepted by the Philippines. The American rebalancing strategy is much broader than a mere resuscitation of the US-Philippines security relationship. Constructivist scholars have argued convincingly that ideas are the driving force of international relations. The norm life cycle is an idea developed by Martha Finnemore and Kathryn Sikkink. According to their analysis, norm emergence begins when a norm entrepreneur or advocate of a particular idea lobbies to place it within mainstream political thought. Rhetorical contestation is another example of a process of spreading ideas. It showcases the interface between a claimant, an opposing actor, and the general public. The Air-Sea Battle focuses on the disruption of enemy surveillance and launching systems, and the overpowering of enemy missiles and other weapons.