The prospects for democratization in Southeast Asia: Local perspectives and international roles |
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Authors: | Bruce M Koppel |
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Institution: | 1. the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Abstract: | Southeast Asia’s recent rapid economic development and the continuing growth of the middle class have both encouraged expectations
about the inevitability of democratic political development. These expectations follow from considerable theorizing in the
United States and Europe, but they may not be well-based on Southeast Asian political, economic, social, or cultural realities.
There are serious democratic forces in Southeast Asia, but in most cases they are in a delicate balance with state, business,
and class interests which may have only limited tolerance for democratic growth. Moreover, serious and persistent patterns
of unequal economic development raise questions about the scope of any political democratization. Finally, the complexity
of democratization issues in Southeast Asia means that outsiders, notably aid donors and foundations, must be very careful
not to set back democratic development in Southeast Asia through well-intended but ill-conceived intervention. |
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