The Political Economy of Southeast Asia An Introduction

This book examines the political economy of contemporary development in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia has undergone a remarkable industrial and economic transformation in the last two decades. The Political Economy of Southeast Asia not only explains these changes, but examines the political foundations and implications of the transformation. It discusses the changing political alignments and struggles taking place and the changing patterns of social organisation involved. Readable and provocative, this book is both technical and analytical in style. It identifies the central theoretical issues at stake in the debate over economic development in the region. The issues, concepts and debates that separate the contending political economy approaches are considered in the context of six country studies - Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam - and three thematic chapters which deal separately with labour in Southeast Asia, regional economic institution-building and the emergence of sub-regional economic growth zones. This dynamic book will be invaluable to all students, bureaucrats, policy-makers and analysts, and business people interested in the region.