Abstract
Colonial-era tutelage is often hypothesized as unifying relations between local elites and stabilizing politics along at least semi-democratic lines. This chapter argues, however, that in Southeast Asia, far more strongly determinative than colonial experience are the crises that such experience can subsequently give rise to, creating elite-level divisions and regimes that are unstable, undemocratic, or both. To show this, while analysis touches on most countries in Southeast Asia, the chapter focuses on the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Though Thailand was never formally colonized, national elites learned much from the British and French colonial powers that operated around it. In addition, Malaysia demonstrates that ethnic “pillarization,” far from mitigating elite divisions and unstable democracy, can exacerbate tensions and trigger authoritarian backlash.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bangkok Post. (2012, May 22). Philippines’ Top Judge Testifies, Walks Out of Trial, at http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/294538/philippines-top-judge-testifies-walks-out-of-trial
Brownlee, J. (2007). Authoritarianism in an Age of Democratization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Case, W. (1999). Politics Beyond Anwar: What’s New? Asian Journal of Political Science, 7(1), 1–19.
Case, W. (2013). Post-GE 13: Any Closer to Ethnic Harmony and Democratic Change? The Round Table, 102(6), 511–519.
Higley, J., & Burton, M. (1989). The Elite Variable in Democratic Transitions and Breakdowns. American Sociological Review, 54(February), 17–32.
Higley, J., & Burton, M. (2006). Elite Foundations of Liberal Democracy. London: Rowman and Littlefield.
Khoo, K. J. (1992). The Grand Vision: Mahathir and Modernisation. In J. S. Kahn & F. L. K. Wah (Eds.), Fragmented Vision: Culture and Politics in Contemporary Malaysia (pp. 44–76). Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
Kuhonta, E. M. (2011). The Institutional Imperative: The Politics of Equitable Development in Southeast Asia. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Lande, C. H. (2001). The Return of ‘People Power’ in the Philippines. Journal of Democracy, 12(2), 88–102.
Lijphart, A. (1977). Democracy in Plural Societies: A Comparative Exploration. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Merdeka Center. (2008). 12th General Elections—Observations on Issues, Voting Directions and Implications (2008 incorrectly dated 2007), http://www.merdeka.org/v2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90:12th-general-elections-observations-on-issues-voting-directions-and-implications&catid=35:research
Mutebi, A. M. (2003). Thailand in 2002: Political Consolidation Amid Economic Uncertainties. Asian Survey, 43(1), 101–112.
O’Donnell, G., & Schmitter, P. C. (1986). Opening (and Undermining) Authoritarian Regimes. In G. O’Donnell, P. C. Schmitter, & L. Whitehead (Eds.), Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Prospects for Democracy (pp. 15–36). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Ostwald, K. (2013). How to Win a Lost Election: Malapportionment and Malaysia’s 2013 General Election. The Round Table, 102(6), 521–532.
Pasuk, P., & Baker, C. (2004). Thaksin: The Business of Politics in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.
Pepinsky, T. B. (2010). Review: Contemporary Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia: Structures, Institutions and Agency. South East Asia Research, 18(4), 810–813.
Pye, L. W. (1985). Asian Power and Politics: The Cultural Dimensions of Authority. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Slater, D. (2010). Ordering Power: Contentious Politics and Authoritarian Leviathans in Southeast Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Teorell, J. (2010). Determinants of Democratization: Explaining Regime Change in the World, 1972–2006. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Thitinan, P. (2008). Thailand Since the Coup. Journal of Democracy, 19(4), 140–153.
Thompson, M. R. (1995). The Anti-Marcos Struggle: Personalistic Rule and Democratic Transition in the Philippines. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Wade, G. (2010). Operation Cold Store: A Key Event in the Creation of Malaysia and in the Origins of Modern Singapore. Paper Presented at the 21st Conference of the International Association of Historians of Asia, 21–25 June.
Weiner, M. (1987). Empirical Democratic Theory. In M. Weiner & E. Ozbudun (Eds.), Competitive Elections in Developing Countries (pp. 3–34). Durham: Duke University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Case, W. (2018). Political Elites in Southeast Asia. In: Best, H., Higley, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Political Elites. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51904-7_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51904-7_16
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-51903-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-51904-7
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)