ABSTRACT

This volume provides an introduction to the politics of the five key southeast Asian states - Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines - and is intended as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses on this subject. Using a comparative politics and political economy perspective, the author focuses in particular on the degree of democracy in the five countries, arguing that in all the countries considered democracy is, to varying degrees, imperfect. The book synthesises a wide range of scholarship, and presents the material in a concise and accessible way.

chapter Chapter 1|28 pages

Comparing politics in Southeast Asia

chapter Chapter 2|52 pages

Indonesia

Perpetuating and Changing a Pseudo-democracy

chapter Chapter 3|17 pages

Singapore

A Stable Semi-democracy

chapter Chapter 4|48 pages

Malaysia

Semi-democracy with Strain Points

chapter Chapter 5|53 pages

Thailand

An Unconsolidated Democracy

chapter Chapter 6|43 pages

The Philippines

Stable, but Low Quality Democracy

chapter Chapter 7|20 pages

Southeast Asia

Uncovering State Elites and the Business Connection