ABSTRACT
The global trend toward democracy of the late 1980s and early 1990s has been gratifying to Americans brought up to believe in the universal validity, applicability, and desirability of democratic government. Although dictatorships often achieve rapid economic growth during their early years, authoritarian leaders cannot indefinitely stake their legitimacy on prosperity. There are many reasons for the recent rapid progress of democratic ideals around the globe. Explanations differ from country to country. The general disenchantment with socialist economics is another important factor contributing to democratization. Political participation by citizens is the essence of democracy. The factors conducive to the growth of democracy include the freedoms of speech and the press, and the rights to organize and to protest. But since these freedoms cannot be absolute, their observance everywhere is a matter of degree. Development and Democracy in Southeast Asia explores the reasons Southeast Asian nations have had to struggle so hard to sustain democracy.
