ABSTRACT
Globalization increases demands for social security programs, which may suggest the increased responsibility, thus sustained power, for the states. Although globalization may generally erode national boundaries and, possibly, the political elites’ control over the society, the extent of its impact may vary greatly between states depending on their economic conditions. Against these backdrops, this chapter examines the specific case of Asian states and whether Asian states experience the effects of globalization differently than non-Asian states. It discusses the differences in the ability of Asian and non-Asian states to maintain control over society during the era of rapid globalization. The chapter tests empirically the question of ‘Asian uniqueness’ by developing statistical measurements for concepts. The Asian political culture, which is considered to be fraught with crony capitalism and is often argued to be uniquely resilient to the outside influence, does not seem to be impervious to the effects of the internationalization of their economy.
