
East Asian Democratization
Impact of Globalization, Culture, and Economy
Robert W. Compton(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 30. September 2000
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-275-96446-7 (ISBN)
Description
It may be tempting to view political development and democratization in East Asia from a global view and conclude that the contours of democracy will converge throughout the world. However, a close examination of the cultural and economic development of Asian societies suggests a contrary picture. The story of Asia is one of political and economic survival, in which political elites sought to legitimate their authority through the use of both traditional and modern symbols. Traditional communitarian values and the modern symbols of economic growth and materialism coexist in Asian political systems. The stability and legitimacy of Asian governments depend on the ability of political elites to balance these symbols. As globalization proceeds, the standard traditional and modern symbols have waned in their effectiveness. Therefore, democracy as a symbol and practice can provide new sources of legitimacy to these political systems.
Compton's Asian political development model is tested with quantitative indicators and through a series of case studies. The three case studies-Japan, South Korea, and Thailand-build on each other through a rigorous historical comparison. While the case studies themselves are interesting, he makes connections to the model and tests the congruence of these cases to the model, and concludes that the model's validity is predicated on the internal environment, including culture and economy. Of particular interest to scholars, students, and researchers involved with comparative and Asian politics, political development, and political culture.
Compton's Asian political development model is tested with quantitative indicators and through a series of case studies. The three case studies-Japan, South Korea, and Thailand-build on each other through a rigorous historical comparison. While the case studies themselves are interesting, he makes connections to the model and tests the congruence of these cases to the model, and concludes that the model's validity is predicated on the internal environment, including culture and economy. Of particular interest to scholars, students, and researchers involved with comparative and Asian politics, political development, and political culture.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
521 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-275-96446-7 (9780275964467)
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E-Book
09/2000
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€82.49
Available for download
Person
ROBERT W. COMPTON, JR., is Assistant Professor of Government at Western Kentucky University./e His main research interests include East Asian democratization and state legitimacy in the context of political culture, politics, and the economy.
Content
The Problem of Asian Democracy The Cultural Origins of Asian Democracy The Developmental State, Political Elites, and Asian Democracy Asian Political Development Model and Empirical Evidence Japan and the Tale of Three Asian Societies South Korea: Imperfect Legitimation Leads to Democracy? Thailand: Weak State but High Levels of Legitimacy Conclusion: Cases and the Asian Development Model Bibliography