ABSTRACT

This book explores the historical origins, contemporary dynamics and future challenges of social cohesion in South, Southeast and East Asia—one of the most dynamic and at the same time heterogeneous regions in the world, in terms of economic, political and human development.

The comparative case studies in this volume develop a better understanding of social cohesion in Asia by exploring how social cohesion is understood, analyzed and sometimes politically instrumentalised. Examining different dimensions and qualities of social cohesion and how they are linked together, it also discusses the challenges of social cohesion in individual societies. The case studies include examples from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea and Mainland China and building on the conceptual work and empirical findings of the Asian Social Cohesion Radar, this book provides detailed cross-country analyses over the past 15 years.

Combining rigorous conceptual and theoretical reasoning with a systematic empirical analysis of trends across the region, Social Cohesion in Asia will be of great interest to students and scholars of Asian politics, international relations, political sociology, comparative politics and Democratization Studies.

chapter 4|27 pages

South Korea

A triple paradox of social cohesion

chapter 5|21 pages

Fragmented society, stable democracy

The Indian paradox

chapter 6|27 pages

Bangladesh

Holding together a low cohesion society

chapter 7|20 pages

Achieving unity in extreme diversity?

Social cohesion in Indonesia

chapter 8|21 pages

Religious mobilisation, ethnic conflict and the problem of trust

Social cohesion in democratising Myanmar

chapter 10|18 pages

Conclusion

Globalisation, inequality, democracy and social cohesion in Asia