ABSTRACT
Asia is the region of the world in which liberal thought has had the least impact, as it is home to several deeply grounded traditions of political thought. It is also a place of several successful nation-states, and the vital systems of socialism which make no pretence to liberal forms. The diversity of the region is reflected in its contemporary range of illiberal regimes and forces, including Leninism, monarchy, and religion. This chapter surveys illiberalism in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the similarities within subregions.
