Politics and Society in Southeast Asia

The Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 caused severe hardship in Southeast Asia, and many countries tightened their regulation of banks and other financial institutions, adopted more conservative fiscal policies, and made themselves less vulnerable to Western market fluctuations by forming closer trade and investment ties with their neighbors. This book analyzes the major political and economic reforms that resulted from the Asian financial crisis, looking particularly at how such reforms helped to prepare Asian countries for coping with the 2009 global recession. In each of the ten country chapters, the historical background, social and political system, economic development, and foreign relations of each country are analyzed and compared with those of neighboring countries. The concluding chapter looks ahead at the prospects for Southeast Asia in a more integrated Asian region.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Peter A. Poole has worked as a foreign service officer in Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines and has directed international studies programs at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He now teaches courses in comparative government at George Mason University’s Institute of Lifelong Learning.

Peter A. Poole
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 214
Bibliographic Info: maps, tables, glossary, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4545-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5802-8
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

Introduction      3

1. Thailand: Democracy Challenged      11

2. Vietnam: Still a Long March Ahead      31

3. Cambodia: Between Powerful Neighbors      47

4. Laos: A Country at the Crossroads      64

5. Myanmar: ASEAN’S Problem State      76

6. Malaysia: Politics of a Plural Society      93

7. Singapore: City with a Siege Mentality      110

8. Indonesia: A Shallow-Rooted Democracy      125

9. Brunei Darussalam: A Classic Rentier State      144

10. The Philippines: People Power Fatigue      156

11. Looking Ahead to a More Closely Integrated Region      171

Glossary      179

Abbreviations and Acronyms      183

Chapter Notes      185

Bibliography      197

Index      205

“a great introduction”—Reference & Research Book News.