Democracy and Southeast Asia

East and Southeast Asia is a fertile setting for exploring the links between political and economic development, Economic performance has been a primary source of political legitimacy in all the states in the study, despite moves to democracy in the early 1990s, yet the levels of developments vary markedly. Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore have turned to technological innovation, while the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have focused on regional/global production systems. Outcomes after the financial crisis of the late 1990s will be determined by the capacity of political systems to sustain popular support, and by the capacity of institutions to rework dysfunctional economic arrangements.

Using case studies and primary research, Philip Eldridge reveals the complexities of the human rights debate across Southeast Asia, and shows how the economic problems of the region have influenced the debate.

Since Burma's current military rulers took power in 1989, this pivotal, troubled, and bitterly divided Southeast Asian nation has rejected important opportunities for political and economic liberalization. This book examines the origins and consequences of Burma's current policies from military, political, social, and economic perspectives--and analyzes Burma's stand with regard to the United States and other Western countries.

Praise for earlier editions: "There is a definite need for an affordable survey of Southeast Asia that is readable, literate, up-to-date, & conceptually & factually sound. D. R. SarDesai's book fills these criteria admirably." Arnold P. Kaminsky California State University at Long Beach

"Civil Islam" tells the story of Islam and democratization in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation. Challenging stereotypes of Islam as antagonistic to democracy, this study of courage and reformation in the face of state terror suggests possibilities for democracy in the Muslim world and beyond.

Democratic in the early 1950s and with rich precedents for tolerance and civility, Indonesia succumbed to violence. In 1965, Muslim parties were drawn into the slaughter of half a million communists. In the aftermath of this bloodshed, a "New Order" regime came to power, suppressing democratic forces and instituting dictatorial controls that held for decades. Yet from this maelstrom of violence, repressed by the state and denounced by conservative Muslims, an Islamic democracy movement emerged, strengthened, and played a central role in the 1998 overthrow of the Soeharto regime. In 1999, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of a reformist, civilian government.

In explaining how this achievement was possible, Robert Hefner emphasizes the importance of civil institutions and public civility, but argues that neither