Southeast Asia, whose alienation might tilt the balance of power in favor of the Communist bloc, has become the focus of American foreign policy. Amry Vandenbosch and Richard Butwell here trace the development of the eight nations which comprise Southeast Asia and appraise their current role in international affairs. Although led to adopt state forms similar to those of the departing colonial powers, each nation traditionally had quite different political systems. It is the authors' thesis that their historical patterns of political and social behavior are re-emerging and that the chief differences among the national political systems and related ways of life can largely be explained in these terms. They feel that the main changes in Southeast Asia in the past two decades reflect the peculiar wedding of such historical considerations and the worldwide forces of democracy, communism, and economic development. Southeast Asia, the authors hold, can be viewed as a single collective political entity, for no country is free from direct or indirect influence from its neighbors and this interaction is increasing in quantity and intensity. The pattern of political development, the authors assert, is much colored by national variations of common occurrences, but paradoxically Southeast Asia has never meant more in terms of an interdependent unit historically than it does today.

The Changing Face of Corruption in the Asia Pacific: Current Perspectives and Future Challenges is a contemporary analysis of corruption in the Asia-Pacific region. Bringing academicians and practitioners together, contributors to this book discuss the current perspectives of corruption's challenges in both theory and practice, and what the future challenges will be in addressing corruption's proliferation in the region. - Includes viewpoints from both practitioners and academic contributors on corruption in the Asia Pacific region - Offers a strong theoretical background together with the practical experience of contributors - Explores what the future challenges will be in addressing corruption's proliferation in the region - Aimed at both the academic and professional audience

Examines how and why corporate strategy, structure and culture is continuing to change markedly in Southeast Asia.

This book examines how and why corporate strategy, structure and culture is continuing to change markedly in South East Asia. Among the issues that have forced widespread changes in the region are the economic meltdown, the growth in electronic technology, regional market integration, changing levels of education, business process standardisation a

Burma is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia and was once one of its richest. Under successive military regimes, however, the country eventually ended up as one of the poorest countries in Asia, a byword for repression and ethnic violence. Richard Cockett spent years in the region as a correspondent for The Economist and witnessed firsthand the vicious sectarian politics of the Burmese government, and later, also, its surprising attempts at political and social reform. Cockett’s enlightening history, from the colonial era on, explains how Burma descended into decades of civil war and authoritarian government. Taking advantage of the opening up of the country since 2011, Cockett has interviewed hundreds of former political prisoners, guerilla fighters, ministers, monks, and others to give a vivid account of life under one of the most brutal regimes in the world. In many cases, this is the first time that they have been able to tell their stories to the outside world. Cockett also explains why the regime has started to reform, and why these reforms will not go as far as many people had hoped. This is the most rounded survey to date of this volatile Asian nation.

At the epicenter of the world's most dynamic economic continent, Southeast Asia provides a window into some of the most important contemporary global developments in politics, and plays a crucial role in determining the wider region's future. The 3rd edition of this highly-acclaimed text provides a comprehensive analysis of Southeast Asia's remarkable variety of political systems, cultures and traditions, which are without exception all undergoing a variety of major changes. Written by a team of leading experts on Southeast Asia, this volume provides an accessible introduction to a region being buffeted by profound internal social transformation and great power confrontation, as well as the continuing challenges of economic development and environmental management. Comprehensive in its analysis and ambitious in scope, this book will be the perfect introduction for students interested in the culture, politics, economy and society of the nations of Southeast Asia.

First published in 1957, this classic work on the political situation in Southeast Asia at the start of the Vietnam War includes a supplement covering events up to mid-1958. An introductory chapter describes the general political and economic characteristics of this important region lying south of Communist China and east of neutralist India. Individual chapters are devoted to Indonesia, the Philippines, Indochina, Thailand, Malaya, and Burma. The concluding chapters analyze the international relations of Southeast Asia and describe American foreign policy in the area.

Jorn Dosch explores the profound political changes that have occurred in recent years both within Southeast Asia and in its international relations. Chapters consider the origins of insurgencies and terrorism, and responses to national and international security threats."