Synopses & Reviews
Southeast Asia in the New International Era highlights the dramatic political events sweeping a dynamic region populated by more than 500 million people. Where economic boom and crisis dominated events in the late twentieth century, economic recovery and policy dilemmas define much of the region today. Political cleavage continues to bedevil Thailands intermittent democratization. Vietnams single-party rule fosters ever tighter political control as it reacts to lagging economic growth. Surprising many, Burmas once closed polity now shows signs of genuine reform and openness. Elsewhere, patronage politics continues to inhibit development in the Philippines even as it fuels unprecedented growth in Cambodia and Laos. Home to the worlds largest Muslim population, Indonesia blazes new ground with young democratic institutions while simmering aspirations for greater democracy in neighboring Malaysia generate mass protest. Representing the greatest contrast in the region is the rich and stable, corporatist state of Singapore versus the economically poor and politically fragile democracy of Timor-Leste. Amidst domestic developments, ASEANs global profile continues to rise as the regions governments address a growing array of transnational concerns. This newly revised edition examines these developments and many others affecting the region and international political economy.
Review
Praise from Previous Editions:"One of Americas premier Southeast Asia scholars, Clark Neher, and his co-author, Robert Dayley, assess the major regional players and issues in this new edition of the highly regarded Southeast Asia in the New International Era. Exploring the current impact of transnational terrorism, globalization, economic volatility, and the regions relations with the great powers, this volume is an excellent choice for students, business people, and policymakers."
—Sheldon Simon, Arizona State University
"Robert Dayley and Clark Neher have written a superb survey describing political developments in Southeast Asia and explaining the historical and cultural underpinnings that have contributed to these developments. Their balanced and insightful analysis is a must-read for students and professionals who aspire to better understand Southeast Asias significance in a new international era."
—John J. Brandon, The Asia Foundation
"Few texts available to students contain simultaneously the breadth (all countries, including Brunei and Timor-Leste) and depth of timely information on the latest developments in Southeast Asia. The authors have compiled a thorough historical and cultural account, but also of political developments in a way that distinguishes this book. There are even select indicators that help to define these nations in comparative perspective. I have been waiting for something like this for my course on The Politics of Southeast Asia. Working from unpublished proofs, students have already been impressed with both the coverage and detail of these discussions of the nations of Southeast Asia. I know of no better introduction to the region as a whole. It is exactly what I have been looking for."
—Robert B. Albritton, University of Mississippi
"Clark Neher has once again done the almost impossible in writing a lucid, comprehensive and coherent book
. There is no better basic work to introduce the region (or reintroduce it) than Clark Nehers fine book
A useful and important book."
—Journal of Asian Business
"One of the few broad, timely surveys of Southeast Asia now available, and it contains much historical and cultural perspective."
—Foreign Affairs
Synopsis
An essential introduction to contemporary Southeast Asia in the context of a post-Cold War world
About the Author
Robert Dayley is professor of international political economy and Asian studies at The College of Idaho and is the 2011 CASE-Carnegie Foundation Idaho Professor of the Year.
Clark D. Neheris emeritus Distinguished Teaching Professor of political science and former director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University.
Table of Contents
Preface and AcknowledgmentsPreface and Acknowledgments to the Sixth Edition
Acronyms
1 INTRODUCTION
Map of Southeast Asia
Influences and Experiences
Shared Social Patterns
The New International Era
Comparing Political Regimes
Notes
2 THAILAND
Map of Thailand
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
3 MYANMAR (BURMA)
Map of Myanmar (Burma)
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
4 VIETNAM
Map of Vietnam
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
5 CAMBODIA
Map of Cambodia
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
6 LAOS
Map of Laos
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
7 THE PHILIPPINES
Map of The Philippines
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
8 INDONESIA
Map of Indonesia
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
9 TIMOR-LESTE
Map of Timor-Leste
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
10 MALAYSIA
Map of Malaysia
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
11 SINGAPORE
Map of Singapore
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
12 BRUNEI
Map of Brunei
Institutions and Social Groups
State-Society Relations and Democracy
Economy and Development
Foreign Relations
Conclusion
Notes
Resource Guide
Index